Coast Guard Offloads Over $158M Worth Of Seized Drugs In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — U.S. Coast Guard personnel offloaded 17,100 pounds of cocaine and marijuana Monday in San Diego.

The drugs, worth an estimated $158 million, were taken from drug smugglers in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, according to the Coast Guard. More than 11,600 pounds of cocaine and 5,500 pounds of marijuana were confiscated during counter-narcotics patrols between May and July by crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Vigilant, Mohawk and Steadfast.

"The crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Vigilant, Mohawk and Steadfast worked diligently to combat transnational organized crime, disrupt drug flow and prevent a significant amount of drugs from reaching the U.S.," said Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, commander of the Coast Guard's Eleventh District. "Their unwavering commitment while interdicting drug smugglers at sea is not only commended, but their continued efforts are unmatched."

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast offloaded the drugs in San Diego. During deployments, Steadfast patrols along the western seaboard of the U.S., Mexico and North and Central America conducting search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, living marine resource protection, and homeland defense operations.