NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The U.S. Coast Guard<\/a> seized more than 4,500 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $34 million from a suspected narco-terrorist vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Easter Sunday, officials said.<\/p>\n According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Coast Guard cutter Escanaba was alerted by a maritime patrol aircraft that the crew of a suspected narco-terrorist vessel was throwing contraband overboard.<\/p>\n The Coast Guard deployed an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew to investigate the vessel, which was operating off the coast of Manta, Ecuador.<\/p>\n DHS said the Escanaba crew deployed a cutter pursuit boat and recovered more than 4,510 pounds of cocaine.<\/p>\n HEGSETH SAYS US STRIKES FORCE SOME CARTEL LEADERS TO HALT DRUG OPERATIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Coast Guard crews intercepted a suspected narco-terrorist vessel and seized thousands of pounds of cocaine, officials said.<\/span> (Department of Homeland Security)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin<\/a> said the recovery was part of Operation Pacific Viper, a Coast Guard counter-drug operation launched in August 2025 in the Eastern Pacific.<\/p>\n “Operation Pacific Viper plays a central part of President Trump\u2019s fight against the cartels at sea, cutting off their ability to make money by trafficking their poison into our country,” Mullin said in a statement. “This operation has already seized over 215,000 pounds of cocaine<\/a> and has arrested over 160 suspected narco-traffickers.”<\/p>\n U.S. Coast Guard crews display seized cocaine following a counter-drug operation in the Eastern Pacific, officials said.<\/span> (Department of Homeland Security)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n He added, “The brave men and women of the Coast Guard are saving American lives by keeping these deadly drugs out of our communities and off our streets.”<\/p>\n VIDEO CAPTURES US STRIKE ON SUSPECTED NARCO VESSEL IN EASTERN PACIFIC, COAST GUARD SEARCHES FOR 3 SURVIVORS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 4,500 pounds of cocaine from a suspected narco-terrorist vessel in the Eastern Pacific, officials said.<\/span> (Department of Homeland Security)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n DHS said the Coast Guard\u2019s efforts to disrupt drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific are a key part of the Trump administration\u2019s initiative<\/a> to combat narco-terrorism and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.<\/p>\n Through Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard has seized more than 215,000 pounds of cocaine and apprehended more than 160 suspected narco-traffickers.<\/p>\n![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200\/675\/coast-guard-cocaine-seizure-eastern-pacific.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1\")
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