U.S. Coast Guard Shatters Records in Historic Drug Bust

By Charlie McCarthy | Thursday, 06 November 2025 09:33 AM EST

The U.S. Coast Guard achieved a record-breaking year for drug seizures at sea, intercepting nearly 510,000 pounds of cocaine between October 2024 and last month—the largest haul in the service’s history, reported Newsmax National Security Correspondent Carla Babb. The estimated street value of the narcotics stopped was $3.8 billion, equivalent to roughly 193 million potential doses prevented from entering U.S. communities.

A Coast Guard source told Babb that the total triples the average annual seizure amount and surpasses the previous record set in 2017 during President Donald Trump’s first term by about 55,000 pounds. The achievement coincides with ongoing efforts by Coast Guard members working without pay amid a government shutdown.

Officials attributed the success to a strategic shift in resources toward the Caribbean region this year, focusing on maritime trafficking. Operations like “Pacific Viper,” launched in August, contributed significantly, accounting for 100,000 pounds of cocaine seized in its first two months. Analysts noted that the focus on sea routes reflects traffickers’ adaptation to tightened land border enforcement.

Despite the success, Coast Guard officials cautioned there is “a lot of room for improvement,” as military estimates suggest only 10% to 15% of illegal drugs bound for the U.S. are intercepted. The record-breaking year focused primarily on cocaine, with no fentanyl seized at sea—a drug typically smuggled via land borders in smaller quantities.

The Coast Guard’s efforts highlight enhanced coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the Navy, reinforcing Trump-era policies on border security. Officials emphasized that disrupting cartel revenue streams through cocaine interdiction remains a critical strategy.