U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $275 Million in Cocaine During Eastern Pacific Patrol

The Cutter Waesche intercepted over 37,000 pounds of cocaine in 11 operations, part of a multiagency effort to combat drug trafficking.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche offloaded over 37,000 pounds of cocaine in San Diego, with an estimated street value of $275 million.
The seizures occurred during 11 separate interdictions between December 2024 and February 2025 off the coasts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
The interdictions were part of a coordinated effort involving U.S. agencies like the Navy, DEA, and international partners to combat transnational organized crime.
The Cutter Waesche faced challenges during its patrol, including the loss of a crew member, Seaman Bryan K. Lee, who went missing on February 4.
Efforts to locate the missing crew member involved extensive searches spanning over 19,000 square nautical miles before being suspended on February 8.