Miami, Florida. (June 19, 2023): “Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, when the Coast Guard comes for you.” (Set to the theme of the hit television show COPs.) It is a question smugglers ask themselves every day. In this photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez, fellow Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon New, a crew member of Coast Guard Cutter Bear stands security watch during a drug offload at the Port of Miami. These offloaded drugs were interdicted in nine separate incidents in international waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

All totaled, these raids by the Coast Guard seized more than 14,000 pounds of cocaine valued at an estimated $186 million. Twelve suspected smugglers were also apprehended and face prosecution,

In each of these incidents, Smugglers used “go fast” boats, speedy craft they hope can outrun the law. Today, technological advances in engine performance and high-speed boat designs mean the Coast Guard will have to deal with faster and faster vessels than ever before.

While speed is essential, the Coast Guard also stresses using a “force package” that combines maritime patrol aircraft, high speed surface craft, unmanned aerial surveillance, and airborne use of force tactics. The goal is to identify, track, search, and seize vessels suspected of drug trafficking before they can deliver their poison to our shores.

Globally, both cocaine production and demand have jumped dramatically over the past two years, according to a United Nations report released in March. Interceptions by law enforcement agencies around the world have also risen, with a record of almost 2,000 tons of cocaine seized in 2021, according to the report.

What was the largest drug seizure by the U.S. Coast Guard to date? The Cutter James crew offloaded approximately 54,500 pounds of cocaine and 15,800 pounds of marijuana, worth approximately $1.06 billion on Feb. 17, 2022, in Port Everglades, Florida.