Coast Guard seizes semi-submersible carrying $181M in cocaine

ALAMEDA, Calif., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Coast Guard officials said guardsmen seized a semi-submersible vessel carrying more than 16,000 pounds of cocaine worth $181 million last month in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The 40-foot vessel was detected by a U.S. Navy maritime patrol aircraft July 18 about 200 miles south of Mexico.

Guardsmen aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, based out of Alameda, Calif., arrested four suspected smugglers and seized 275 bales of cocaine.

"Our success intercepting this drug-laden, self-propelled semi-submersible is a testament to the collaboration of our partner agencies and demonstrates the importance of our increased presence in the Western Hemisphere," said Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander, Pacific area. "Every interception of these semi-submersibles disrupts transnational organized crime networks and helps increase security and stability in the Western Hemisphere."

The Coast Guard removed about 12,000 pounds of cocaine before attempting to tow the vessel, leaving behind some 4,000 pounds to stabilize it. The vessel, though, took on water and sank with some of the cocaine still on board, a news release said.