Coast Guard seizes $45.8 million in cocaine off Colombia

May 15, 2026

Summary

U.S. Coast Guard said it seized 6,085 pounds of cocaine from three vessels off Colombia on May 8.

Why this matters

The seizure adds to a broader Coast Guard campaign targeting maritime cocaine trafficking routes from South and Central America. It also highlights the scale of interdictions at sea, where the service said about 80% of cases occur.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday it seized about 6,085 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $45.8 million from three suspected smuggling vessels on May 8, about 90 miles off Cartagena, Colombia.

The Coast Guard said the cutter Tahoma launched two small boats and deployed a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew to stop the vessels. One vessel did not comply, and the crew used precision sniper fire on its engines to stop it, the service said. Suspected smugglers jumped overboard, and the aircrew dropped personal flotation devices and rescued them. The Coast Guard said no injuries were reported. The other two vessels were stopped without incident.

Cmdr. Nolan Cuevas, Tahoma’s commanding officer, said in a statement: “Interdicting three vessels simultaneously is a testament to the unwavering professionalism, precision, and dedication of our crews. This interdiction prevented a significant number of illegal narcotics from reaching America’s shores, and their teamwork underscores the Coast Guard’s mission to protect our nation and saving lives.”

He added: “Executing such a complex mission demands the highest proficiency from our crew. Our success required the integration of thoughtful training, carefully planned logistics and joint coordination. We are very proud of our efforts to prevent illicit networks from threatening our security.”

Tahoma, a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter, is based at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.

The announcement followed a record 2025 for the Coast Guard, which said it seized more than 511,000 pounds of cocaine, more than three times its annual average. The service also cited Operation Pacific Viper, launched in August 2025 in the eastern Pacific Ocean to disrupt drug trafficking routes from South and Central America. As of April 2026, the Coast Guard said the operation had led to seizures of more than 215,000 pounds of cocaine and the apprehension of about 160 suspected traffickers since August. About 80% of drug interdictions occur at sea, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard also said about 8,185 pounds of seized narcotics worth about $61.6 million were offloaded Thursday at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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