Massive bales of seized narcotics stacked on the deck of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter marked a significant milestone Thursday as authorities offloaded over 28,000 pounds of cocaine at Port Everglades.
According to Breitbart, the cocaine was confiscated during four operations earlier this May in the Eastern Pacific, with an estimated street value of $211.3 million, carried out by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Thetis and its helicopter interception unit.
The interdictions involved both air and sea components coordinated by Cutter Thetis and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron based in Jacksonville, Florida. Each operation took place during the vessel’s patrol in early May, covering expansive areas off Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Four Days, Four Drug Seizures
The first successful interdiction was recorded on May 3. A maritime patrol aircraft spotted two suspicious vessels roughly 170 miles west of Mexico. Cutter Thetis responded, leading to the seizure of approximately 4,630 pounds of cocaine.
Just two days later, on May 5, the crew discovered a large field of floating bales about 475 miles southwest of Colima, Mexico. Authorities recovered 9,993 pounds of cocaine. A portion—around 4,608 pounds—was given to Ecuadorian officials to support regional prosecution efforts.
Another major haul occurred on May 6, after the helicopter crew located two vessels jettisoning bales roughly 575 miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Though the vessels disappeared during a storm, the crew managed to recover 14,559 pounds of cocaine from three distinct groups of floating narcotics.
Final Haul Adds To Total Valuation
The final interdiction took place on May 10 when Thetis personnel discovered another bale field about 660 miles south of Acapulco. That operation yielded an additional 3,984 pounds of cocaine. All four deliveries resulted in the offloading of 28,000 pounds of cocaine in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades by Thursday. The total estimated value for the drugs reaches up to $211.3 million on the street market.
While 28,000 pounds were brought ashore, authorities say that more than 33,000 pounds were seized during the Cutter Thetis’s entire patrol. The remaining narcotics may be in storage or pending transfer processes.
Command Voice Celebrates Team’s Work
Cmdr. Ryan Kelley, who oversees operations aboard the Cutter Thetis, expressed pride in the team. “I could not be more proud of this crew and what they accomplished this patrol,” Kelley said. He noted the broader mission behind such operations, stating, “The Coast Guard is in the business of saving lives, and every kilogram of these drugs kept off our streets represents lives saved.”
In a concluding remark about the challenges of maintaining aging equipment, Cmdr. Kelley highlighted the determination of his team. “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,” he said.
Air And Sea Coordination Key To Success
The involvement of both Cutter Thetis and its embarked helicopter was critical to the operations. The MH-65 Dolphin team provided aerial surveillance capabilities that greatly enhanced the ability to detect and interdict smuggling vessels from afar.
Suspicious vessels often tried to jettison their cargo when spotted, particularly during the May 6 incident. In those cases, recovery teams focused on collecting as much of the floating contraband as possible despite weather challenges. Each bale field signaled a potential loss for traffickers operating across the Eastern Pacific, considered one of the most active corridors for drug movement via maritime routes to North America.
Broader Implications Of The Operation
The successful interdictions demonstrate ongoing Coast Guard efforts to inhibit transnational smuggling networks operating far from U.S. shores. By intervening at sea, these operations reduce the potential for drugs to reach American soil.
Collaborative efforts, such as transferring part of the May 5 haul to Ecuadorian authorities, emphasize multinational coordination in fighting drug trafficking. Such cooperation is seen as vital to strengthening the rule of law across the region. The offload at Port Everglades concluded the latest phase of the Cutter Thetis’s deployment, symbolizing weeks of preparation, long-distance travel, and high-risk boarding actions aimed at curbing narcotics trade by sea.
