Coast Guard seizes $158 million in cocaine and marijuana from 3 vessels in Pacific Ocean

The US Coast Guard offloaded a whopping $158 million of illegal drugs in San Diego Monday, officials announced.

More than 11,600 pounds in cocaine and another 5,500 pounds of marijuana were confiscated during counter-narcotics patrols in the eastern Pacific Ocean between May and July, the military branch said in a new release.

The Cutters Vigilant, Mohawk and Steadfast all worked “diligently to combat transnational organized crime, disrupt drug flow and prevent significant amount of drugs from reaching the US,” Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto said.

“Their unwavering commitment while interdicting drug smugglers at sea is not only commended, but their continued efforts are unmatched,” the Coast Guard commander of the 11th District added.

Photos released by officials showed large, tightly wrapped packages of drugs handed off from Coast Guard member to member as the cocaine and marijuana made their way off the ship.

Multiple agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security all contributed to the drug busts. The Mexican Navy was also involved.

“Nothing is guaranteed when a Coast Guard crew says ‘goodbye’ to loved ones and embarks on a multi-month patrol,” said Cmdr. Brock Eckel, the Steadfast’s commanding officer.

“However, our team worked incredibly hard, day-and-night, to stop three smuggling vessels, preventing more than five tons of illicit narcotics from reaching American soil.”

The major drug haul this month comes after another Coast Guard cutter offloaded more than 14,000 pounds of cocaine worth more than $185 million in Miami last month.

Authorities arrested 12 drug smugglers during that effort that included nine separate cases.