U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) and Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) crewmembers secure an embarked MH-65E Dolphin helicopter following flight operations while patrolling the Eastern Pacific Ocean, March 7, 2025.
The HITRON aircrews are trained to employ airborne use of force to interdict non-compliant vessels during counter-drug operations.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley.
WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard achieved a historic record with more than 231 tons (specifically nearly 510,000 pounds) of cocaine seized in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean during fiscal year 2025 (FY25), the largest amount in the Service’s history.
On average, the Coast Guard seizes approximately 75,7 tons (167,000 pounds) of cocaine annually. The amount seized in FY25 is over three times that amount, and equivalent to 193 million potentially lethal doses (1.2 grams), enough to endanger over half of the U.S. population.
“The Coast Guard’s top priority is to achieve complete operational control of the U.S. border and maritime approaches,» said Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard. «We own the sea, and this historic amount of cocaine seized shows we are defeating narco-terrorist and cartel operations to protect our communities and keep dangerous drugs off our streets.”
Detecting and interdicting narco-terrorism on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South, based in Key West, Florida, detects and monitors both aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension.
The Coast Guard is the United States’ lead federal agency for maritime drug interdiction. It is part of the Department of Homeland Security team protecting U.S. nation.
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