The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) captured, burned, and sank a suspected “drug boat” over the weekend, a video released on Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showed.
As part of Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard carried out three interdictions in one night, seizing nearly 13,000 pounds of cocaine and apprehending seven suspected drug smugglers.
“ASMR: @USCG captures, burns, and sinks a drug boat,” DHS wrote on X.
As part of Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard conducted three interdictions in one night. (DHS)
“Through Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard is accelerating counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where significant transport of illicit narcotics continues from South America,” stated the Coast Guard in a press release on Thursday. “In coordination with international and interagency partners, the Coast Guard is deploying additional assets—cutters, aircraft, and tactical teams—to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs.”
The sinking of the boat follows a Marine strike on September 2nd, which targeted a vessel in the southern Caribbean Sea allegedly carrying members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua involved in smuggling narcotics destined for the U.S.
The vessel was seen catching fire as it was repeatedly shot at. (DHS)
This also occurs as the U.S. military increases its Navy presence near Venezuela, as part of President Donald Trump’s initiatives to halt drug trafficking from the Latin American country.
