EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN — The United States Coast Guard intercepted a submersible vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean Tuesday morning that was hauling millions of dollars in cocaine.
The submarine was first spotted by a patrol plane which alerted the Jacksonville-based Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, according to a press release on the bust.
The #Florida @USCG Cutter Valiant took down a narco sub carrying 12k lbs of cocaine in the #EasternPacific, cutting approximately $165 mil from smuggler pockets.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) September 24, 2019
More info and photos here: https://t.co/mSb28nTIzF pic.twitter.com/hS5kRVtV3f
The submersible was described as a 40-foot, self-propelled semi-submersible carrying 12,000 pounds of coke valued at $165 million, the agency said.
Authorities were only able to remove just over 1,100 pounds of the drug and had to leave the rest because of concerns over the safety of the sub.
The Coast Guard arrested four suspected drug smugglers onboard the vessel.
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