Archive image: An MH-65 Dolphin attached to Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville takes off from the flight deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) with two small boats following astern during joint boat and flight counterdrug training on March 25, 2025, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
HITRON is the Coast Guard’s single provider of forward-deployed airborne use of force aviation detachments across Western Hemisphere narcotics transit zones.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley.
MIAMI – MIAMI – The Coast Guard Cutter Thetis crew and the HITRON interdited approximately 13 tons (more than 28,500 pounds) of cocaine worth an estimated $211.3 million. The drugs were offloaded at Port Everglades. Thursday, 29, 2025.
The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Eastern Pacific by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Thetis and an embarked MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) based out of Jacksonville, Florida.
«I could not be more proud of this crew and what they accomplished this patrol,» said Cmdr. Ryan Kelley, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis. «The Coast Guard is in the business of saving lives, and every kilogram of these drugs kept off our streets represents lives saved. The more than 33,000 pounds of drugs seized by Thetis this patrol also represents the determination of a crew who continues to find a way to improvise, adapt, and overcome to keep an aging cutter in the fight and accomplish this mission.»
On May 3, a maritime patrol aircraft located two suspicious vessels approximately 170 nautical miles west of Mexico. Thetis’ crew interdicted the vessels and seized 4,630 pounds of cocaine. The Coast Guard transferred 4,608 pounds of cocaine from this case to Ecuadorian government officials to aid them in their prosecution efforts.
On May 5, an embarked HITRON MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew aboard the USCGC Thetis observed a bale field approximately 475 nautical miles southwest of Colima, Mexico. Thetis’ crew recovered 9,993 pounds of cocaine from the bale field.
On May 6, a Coast Guard HITRON MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew embarked aboard the Cutter Thetis detected two suspicious vessels throwing bales overboard approximately 575 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Due to an incoming storm, the HITRON helicopter aircrew lost sight of the vessels but led the Thetis crew to three bale fields where 14,559 pounds of cocaine bales were recovered.
On May 10, the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis crew spotted a bale field approximately 660 nautical miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Thetis’ crew recovered 3,984 pounds of cocaine from the bale field.
The following crews also assisted with interdiction operations:
- Coast Guard 11th District (Pacific Southwest) watchstanders
Detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. Joint Interagency Task Force-South, in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Eleventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California.
These interdictions relate to Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces’ Strike Force initiatives and designated investigations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
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