US Coast Guard and DHS Intercept “Narco-Sub” Carrying Over 10 Tons of Cocaine Worth $441 Million
Federal authorities have struck a significant blow against transnational criminal organizations with the interception of a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel carrying a massive shipment of narcotics. In a joint operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) forces, agents seized over 10 tons of cocaine with an estimated street value of $441 million. Four individuals suspected of operating the vessel were taken into custody.
The low-profile vessel, commonly referred to as a “narco-sub,” was tracked and boarded in international waters. These semi-submersibles are custom-built to ride extremely low in the water, utilizing a minimal radar cross-section to evade detection by law enforcement while transporting multi-ton quantities of drugs from South America toward transit zones in Central America and Mexico.
While the dramatic nature of these interceptions often prompts public commentary regarding the use of lethal force to destroy the vessels immediately, operational protocols dictate a more measured approach. Maritime law enforcement experts emphasize that preserving the vessel is critical for gathering intelligence. Capturing the hull intact allows authorities to study the engineering and navigation technologies currently utilized by cartels. Furthermore, securing the contraband and the vessel provides essential physical evidence required for the federal prosecution of the crew and the dismantling of the logistics networks supporting them. Immediate destruction of the vessel would not only risk losing this evidence but could also violate international maritime laws regarding the treatment of detainees and pose significant environmental hazards.
This seizure highlights the scale of the ongoing battle in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean transit zones. In recent years, the Coast Guard has seen a proliferation of these SPSS vessels, which are often constructed in remote jungle shipyards. Despite their rudimentary appearance, they are capable of navigating thousands of miles of open ocean. This $441 million interdiction represents one of the larger single-event seizures, underscoring the immense volume of narcotics moving through maritime corridors and the continued necessity of high-tech surveillance and rapid-response capabilities by U.S. forces.
