San Diego, California. (December 7, 2023): In this photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Uranga, crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche stand at attention on the flight deck as they prepare to offload drugs interdicted in the Eastern Pacific. Joined by the Cutter Active, these top-of-the-line ships eliminated 8,264 Kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $239.7 million in value from the American streets.

Commanded by Captain Robert Mohr, the Waesche was commissioned in 2010 and is one of the most sophisticated vessels in the Coast Guard. This 418-foot-long cutter has a  top speed of twenty-eight knots and a range of 12,000 miles. The Waesche has a hanger and flight deck to launch helicopters, essential to running down drug smugglers whose tactics are becoming more creative.

A third of this recent seizure came from a semisubmersible drug-running boat that was carrying 2.5 tons of cocaine in its hold. These so-called “drug subs” are custom made ocean going self-propelled vessels that sail nearly submerged to reduce the likelihood of detection by radar, sonar, and infrared systems. The cargo capacity varies but most can carry several tons of drugs as far away as Europe.

Multiple U.S. agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security work with the Coast Guard to combat international drug cartels. The FBI, Customs, and Drug Enforcement Administration also play a significant role in counter-narcotic operations.

Support Our Troops congratulates the highly professional crews of the Waesche and the Active on a job well done.