The HITRON helicopter, embarked aboard Bear, supported counter-drug operations with Bear’s crew as part of Operation Pacific Viper.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
MIAMI — The USCGC Bear crew and a HITRON MH-65E Dolphin aircrew interdicted aproximately 3,5 tons (7,720 pounds) of cocaine and 1,8 tons (4,000 pounds) of marijuana worth more than $63 million. The drug were offloaded at Port Everglades on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The seized contraband was the result of three interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
On June 11, Cutter Bear’s crew detected a go-fast vessel, and the embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65E Dolphin aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics. USCGC Bear’s boarding team interdicted and boarded the vessel, seizing approximately 4,000 pounds of marijuana.
On June 12, Bear’s crew detected two go-fast vessels, and the embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65E Dolphin aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics to stop both vessels. Bear’s boarding teams interdicted and boarded the vessels, seizing approximately 7,660 pounds of cocaine.
On June 13, Cutter Bear’s crew recovered a bale in the Eastern Pacific Ocean containing approximately 60 pounds of cocaine.
“The success of these interdictions reflects the strength of our partnerships and the persistence of our crews,” said Cmdr. Jorell Webb, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Bear. «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.»
The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:
- Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders
During the interdictions, HITRON employed an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter featuring its new Blackfin design, which recognizes the squadron’s most successful fiscal year to date after seizing three times its annual average amount of cocaine. The design reflects the precision airborne use-of-force tactics and sustained offshore interdiction operations that define HITRON’s mission while highlighting the squadron’s specialized training and capabilities.
Eighty percent of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea. This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting American communities from this deadly threat. U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South based in Key West conducts the detection and monitoring of 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. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, California.
To protect the United State’s from drug trafficking, the Coast Guard is accelerating our counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Pacific Viper.
Coast Guard Cutter Bear is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia, under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.
–USCG–
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