Coast Guard Seizes $275 Million Worth of Cocaine After Crew Loss in Pacific

A U.S. Coast Guard ship operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean recently made headlines for offloading a staggering 37,000 pounds of cocaine and for the loss of a crew member during its mission. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche had been stationed in the region from December to February, working to intercept suspected drug smuggling vessels along the coasts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

The Drug Haul and Its Implications

The East Pacific Ocean is notorious for "significant narcotics trafficking" activities, as highlighted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Cutter Waesche's two-month deployment resulted in 11 successful interceptions, leading to the monumental drug seizure, which has an estimated value of over $275 million.

Captain Tyson Scofield, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, commended the crew for their extraordinary efforts despite facing numerous challenges during the patrol. In a news release, he emphasized the crew's dedication, resilience, and the significant impact their mission had in preventing the illicit narcotics from reaching the United States, thereby protecting communities from the far-reaching consequences of transnational crime.

The Search for a Lost Crew Member

Tragically, during the operation, a crew member identified as Seaman Bryan K. Lee was reported unaccounted for on Tuesday, February 4, the week prior to the ship's arrival in San Diego. The Coast Guard, along with multiple Air Force aircraft, two Mexican navy vessels, and an unmanned drone, conducted an extensive search over more than 19,000 square nautical miles for a combined total of nearly 190 hours. However, the search was ultimately suspended on Saturday, February 8 with Lee's whereabouts still unknown.

The Coast Guard reported that the Cutter Waesche had been conducting a routine counter-drug patrol around 300 nautical miles south of Mexico when Seaman Lee was reported missing. The vessel had to divert from its patrol to prioritize the search for him.

Coordinated Efforts to Combat Drug Trafficking

The Coast Guard's counter-drug patrols are part of a broader multi-agency effort aimed at combatting organized crime and drug trafficking. This endeavor involves collaboration in all phases, from detection and monitoring to interdictions and criminal prosecutions by both international partners and U.S. Attorneys' Offices across the nation. The Coast Guard emphasized the necessity of a unified effort to effectively curb the drug movement through the East Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche's recent operation serves as a testament to the dedication and resilience of its crew in the face of adversity. While they achieved a significant blow to drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the loss of a crew member underscores the perilous nature of such missions. The efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking in the region require collaboration and coordination among various agencies, emphasizing the need for a collective approach to address this pressing issue.