WASHINGTON: Canada and the U.S. are collaborating to successfully combat drug smuggling on both sides of the border, and on Thursday, more than 28,000 pounds of cocaine worth $424 million was seized, setting record drug seizure rates in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Boutwell returned to San Diego with the 28,000 pounds of cocaine from 19 separate interdictions by U.S. and Canadian forces in drug transit zones near Central and South America.
Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy Ships have seized more cocaine in the last six months than in all of 2014. Operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean near Central and South America, more than 56,000 pounds of cocaine worth more than $848 million has been seized.
Also, more than 101 suspected smugglers have been apprehended.
During at-sea busts in international waters, a suspect vessel is initially located and tracked by allied military or law enforcement vessels. The actual interdiction, including the boarding, search, seizures, and arrests, are led and conducted by the US Coast Guard.
