Massive Cocaine Bust! $11 Billion Blow to Cartels - Here's How They Did It!
Record Cocaine Seizure: A Blow to Drug Cartels
A multi-agency task force operating out of Florida has achieved a monumental victory in the war on drugs, seizing a record-breaking one million pounds of cocaine during fiscal year 2025. This massive haul, estimated to be worth $11.34 billion, represents a staggering 378 million lethal doses, enough to kill every person in America. The Joint Inter-Agency Task Force – South (JIATF-S), led by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and including the U.S. Coast Guard, is responsible for this significant achievement.
JIATF-S works tirelessly with partner nations to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs through the transit zone spanning South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Their efforts aim to weaken transnational criminal organizations that profit from this deadly trade. According to the task force, the seized drugs would fill 42 dump trucks, highlighting the sheer scale of the operation.
The Coast Guard has also been actively involved in intercepting drug-smuggling vessels. In recent operations, they seized over $220 million worth of cocaine in multiple interceptions off the coasts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. One operation resulted in a drug boat catching fire after the narcotics were seized. The Coast Guard stated that vessels are sunk after the drugs and suspects are removed to prevent maritime accidents and collisions at sea.
JIATF-S operates across a vast area of 42 million square miles, from the Eastern Pacific to the Western Atlantic. This region is a major trafficking corridor for drugs, arms, cash, and people. The task force's success in disrupting the flow of these deadly drugs is saving lives and protecting the homeland.
Operation Pacific Viper: Coast Guard's Success
The Coast Guard's Operation Pacific Viper has been instrumental in seizing drugs traveling through the eastern Pacific Ocean. The crew of the USCG Cutter Midgett intercepted four different alleged drug-smuggling vessels, seizing approximately 21,126 pounds of cocaine worth around $156.4 million. These seizures represent a significant blow to drug trafficking operations in the region.
- Record-breaking cocaine seizure
- Multi-agency task force efforts
- Coast Guard operations
- Impact on drug cartels