The U.S. Coast Guard seized 3,800 pounds of cocaine from a self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel off the Texas coastline last month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported Friday.
A news release on the Department of Homeland Security website detailed the actions of a CBP Air and Marine Operations crew, which tracked the vessel from a P-3 Long Range Tracker aircraft Nov. 12 and coordinated with the Coast Guard and U.S. Navy to intercept the vessel the next day.
Three suspects were found on board and arrested; they will face charges in the U.S.
The vessel was discovered during regular patrols along the border that are meant to keep drugs from entering the U.S.
“The drug cartels are relentless and extremely innovative,” National Air Security Operations Center-Corpus Christi Director Allen Durham said in the release. “Interdicting self-propelled semi-submersible vessels requires expertise and the right aircraft. Air and Marine Operations will continue to beat the cartels at their own game to protect our borders.”
In March, the Coast Guard seized 16 tons of cocaine from 17 ships in international waters on the coasts of Central and South America over a 26-day period. The drugs were said to be worth an estimated $420 million.
In the last few months of 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy seized more than 26 tons of cocaine from 27 different ships and five bale recovery operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Cocaine seized from ships is usually stored in a secure location to be used as evidence for prosecution, then burned by the DEA.
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