Coast Guard Offloads Over $239M In Seized Cocaine In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — After several large drug busts in the Pacific Ocean, U.S. Coast Guard personnel offloaded thousands of pounds of cocaine Wednesday in San Diego.

The Coast Guard Cutters Waesche and Active seized approximately 18,219 pounds of cocaine during six separate incidents in November off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America, according to the Coast Guard. The drugs are estimated to be worth more than $239 million.

The cocaine was seized from six different vessels, including a self propelled semi-submersible carrying more than 5,500 pounds of cocaine. It was the first seizure of a semi-submersible in the Eastern Pacific in over three years, according to the Coast Guard.

"The significance of keeping this much cocaine from reaching our shores and streets is, no doubt, life-changing," U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said. "Without these 9 tons of cocaine on American streets, fewer people will have access to this toxic poison, and hundreds of millions of dollars will not make it into cartel coffers. The crew of the Waesche and the entire U.S. Coast Guard is to be commended for protecting our nation from the devastation, violence, and addiction that cocaine brings to our communities."