By Kerry Breen
December 6, 2025
A U.S. Coast Guard cutter this week recovered more than 20,000 pounds of cocaine from a single vessel in the Eastern Pacific, the largest at-sea interdiction in nearly two decades, officials said. The seizure was carried out by the cutter Munro, a Pacific patrol cutter homeported in Alameda, California, during counter-narcotics operations conducted as part of Operation Pacific Viper.
Coast Guard video published with the report shows assets pursuing a high‑speed “go-fast” boat with several people aboard. A helicopter crew disabled the noncompliant craft, and the Munro arrived to recover the narcotics. The service did not disclose what happened to those who appeared to be on the intercepted vessel.
In a social media post accompanying the video, the Coast Guard said its maritime forces are leading U.S. drug-interdiction efforts, safeguarding the homeland and keeping deadly drugs out of American communities.
U.S. authorities have long focused on stopping boats ferrying drugs from Central and South America. The Trump administration expanded operations in the Pacific and at times authorized lethal strikes against suspected smuggling vessels; those actions killed dozens and prompted controversy and legal questions after incidents including a September 2 strike on survivors, which the administration defended.
Separately this week, Colombian authorities reported seizing more than seven tons of cocaine from boats in the Caribbean, a haul they valued at over $340 million, and arresting 11 people, the navy said.