US arrests nine people and seizes nearly three tons of cocaine in an operation near Colombia

"On May 8, the Coast Guard cutter Tahoma interdicted three vessels suspected of drug smuggling near Colombian waters, and carrying approximately 6,085 pounds (2,760 kilograms) of cocaine valued at $45.8 million, according to a statement from U.S. Southern Command. Agents arrested nine people who have been turned over to U.S. authorities. The operation took place about 90 nautical miles off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia."

"This seizure represents 2.3 million potentially lethal doses of cocaine that will not reach American streets, the U.S. Coast Guard stated. The crew of the Tahoma, a 270-foot medium-range vessel, used two small boats and several Coast Guard helicopters to intercept the three vessels. One of them refused to cooperate."

"The Coast Guard deployed snipers who fired from the helicopters at the engines to force it to stop. The crew of that narco-boat jumped overboard. The Coast Guard deployed life jackets and rescued the suspected smugglers without causing any harm. The other two vessels stopped after receiving warnings from the Coast Guard."

"Eighty percent of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement, adding: This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow"

The U.S. Coast Guard continued anti-drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific by intercepting suspected smuggling vessels near Colombian waters. On May 8, the cutter Tahoma interdicted three vessels about 90 nautical miles off the coast of Cartagena. The cargo included approximately 6,085 pounds of cocaine valued at $45.8 million, representing 2.3 million potentially lethal doses. Nine people were arrested and turned over to U.S. authorities. The crew used small boats and Coast Guard helicopters to conduct the interception. One vessel refused to cooperate, leading snipers to fire from helicopters at its engines; the crew then jumped overboard and was rescued with life jackets. The other two vessels stopped after warnings.

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