Coast Guard offloads $150M cocaine haul in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Nearly 20,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at more than $150 million, will never reach U.S. streets after the U.S. Coast Guard offloaded the massive seizure Thursday morning at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego.

The cocaine was seized during multiple operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean over a two-month deployment known as Operation Pacific Viper. 

Officials say the drugs were intercepted at sea and brought to San Diego for offload and investigation.

“This is the offloading of nearly 9,500 kilograms of cocaine, that’s millions of lethal doses worth more than $200 million that will not reach the shores of the United States,” said Rear Adm. Jeff Novak, deputy commander of the Coast Guard’s District Southwest.

Federal officials called the seizure a major win in the fight against what they describe as “narco-terrorism.” They say each bust not only prevents drugs from reaching neighborhoods but also strikes at the financial core of transnational criminal organizations.

“Preventing this poison from getting to our neighborhoods and our kids and families keeps America safe,” said Cmdr. Brian Whisler, commanding officer of the Coast Guard cutter Midgett.

Last month, U.S Customs and Border Protection officers in San Diego reported seizing nearly 10,000 pounds of illegal drugs worth an estimated $24 million.

Officials say every shipment stopped means fewer lethal doses circulating in communities.

Authorities added that ongoing seizures reduce the flow of cocaine and fentanyl into the U.S. and cut into the revenue streams that cartels use to fuel violence and corruption.