The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James has returned to Florida following a high-impact deployment that led to the seizure of over 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana linked to powerful Mexican drug cartels. The drugs, valued at approximately $510 million, were intercepted during multiple operations across the Pacific Ocean.
According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the drugs were traced back to the Gulf Cartel (CDG), Sinaloa Cartel (CDS), and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). She emphasized the financial blow delivered to these criminal organizations, citing the operation as a major success in the ongoing battle against international narcotics trafficking.
Throughout the patrol, the James conducted 11 separate interdictions involving suspected cartel smuggling vessels operating near the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica. These coordinated efforts led to the arrest of 34 suspected cartel operatives, all of whom are now facing federal prosecution in the United States.
The mission was enhanced by aerial surveillance support, including drone technology and a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) deployed aboard the vessel. Aircrews from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations also contributed significantly to the interdictions. The James also received assistance from another Coast Guard ship, the Mohawk, during the operation.
One of the most intense periods of the mission occurred over a 72-hour window, during which the James intercepted seven different smuggling vessels. That concentrated effort resulted in the capture of 24,000 pounds of cocaine and 15 cartel members.
Attorney General Bondi praised the joint effort: “This operation showcases how federal law enforcement, when working together, can disrupt dangerous criminal networks and prevent deadly drugs from reaching American communities. This is justice in action—turning cartel profits into prison sentences.”
In addition to the Cutter James’s accomplishments, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported another significant maritime drug bust. A P-3 surveillance aircraft helped locate and intercept a separate smuggling vessel, resulting in the seizure of 3,644 pounds of cocaine worth more than $1.6 million. Seven additional suspects were taken into custody during that operation.
Federal agencies continue to target cartel trafficking routes, aiming to choke off the drug supply at sea before it reaches American shores. The success of the James’s mission underscores the importance of multi-agency collaboration in the global fight against narcotics trafficking.
