JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircrew, in coordination with interagency partners, conducted continuous overhead surveillance during the interdiction of vessels carrying more than 4,659 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific Ocean, June 18-19. The estimated wholesale value of the cocaine is approximately $60.7 million.
An AMO crew aboard a P-3 Long Range TrackerP-3 Long Range Tracker aircraft detected multiple suspected drug smuggling vessels, known as pangas, during operations in international waters, and coordinated with Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF South) to interdict.
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted both vessels, arrested three suspects, and recovered 24 bales of cocaine.
The P-3 crew patrolling during the operation is based at the National Air Security Operations Center in Jacksonville, Florida. AMO P-3 crews perform a wide variety of operational missions along the U.S. border and in the drug transit zones.
“Our dedicated P-3 crews patrol the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific with advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities as part of a whole-of-government approach to interdict contraband before it reaches our shores,” said Director, National Air Security Operations Center –Jacksonville, Robert Blanchard. “Our agents serve and protect the American people with vigor and vigilance using unique skill sets to preserve America’s security interests.”
The latest interdictions are part of Operation Martillo (Spanish for ‘hammer’), which targets illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. The international operation includes the participation of 17 countries committed to a regional approach against transnational criminal organizations.
Operation Martillo is coordinated by JIATF South, a component of U.S. Southern Command, focused on sharing information and bringing together air, land and maritime assets from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as Western Hemisphere and European partner nation agencies, to counter illicit trafficking.
