Coast Guard helicopter sniper takes out narco-boat during Operation Pacific Viper, seizes cocaine
The Coast Guard cutter Munro made a significant drug interdiction on Tuesday, seizing over 20,000 pounds of cocaine in a single mission. This operation marked the largest seizure involving a go-fast vessel by a national security cutter. Video footage shared with Fox News Digital shows Coast Guard forces, including a sniper from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), using disabling fire against the vessel in the Eastern Pacific south of Mexico as part of Operation Pacific Viper.
The seized cocaine amounts to more than 7.5 million potentially lethal doses. Operation Pacific Viper, launched in August, is a joint initiative between the Coast Guard and Navy aimed at countering the flow of illegal drugs to the US. Under this operation, the Coast Guard has already seized 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific Ocean by October, translating to approximately 1,600 pounds of cocaine confiscated daily.
The Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron snipers play a crucial role in these missions by disabling vessels carrying illicit drugs through targeted shots at their engines. This action allows other Coast Guard assets to board and capture the drugs hidden on the boats. Go-fast vessels are commonly used to transport drugs in the Caribbean.
In the previous fiscal year, the Coast Guard reported seizing almost 510,000 pounds of cocaine, the largest amount in its history. This equates to 193 million potentially lethal doses, posing a significant threat to the US population. The Trump administration has taken a tough stance against drug trafficking, designating certain drug cartel groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
In addition to Operation Pacific Viper, the administration has conducted multiple strikes against alleged drug vessels in Latin American waters. While the legality of these strikes has been questioned, the administration asserts its authority to carry out these attacks. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has indicated that the strikes will continue to target narco-terrorists and disrupt their operations.
Separately, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senators introduced a war powers resolution to prevent Trump from engaging in hostilities within or against Venezuela. Despite the controversy surrounding these operations, the Coast Guard remains committed to intercepting illegal drug shipments and protecting American citizens from the dangers posed by drug trafficking.
