SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche crew offloaded over 37,000 pounds of cocaine in San Diego on Thursday, with an estimated street value exceeding $275 million, military officials noted in a press release.
The massive haul follows a series of successful drug interdictions by the Cutter Waesche off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America. The cocaine, seized between December 2024 and February 2025, was intercepted during 11 separate operations targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels.
According to Coast Guard officials, the interdictions were part of the branch’s ongoing efforts to combat the flow of illicit narcotics into the United States.
“The Waesche crew faced numerous challenges during this patrol, overcoming the hardest adversities and still had 11 successful drug interdictions,” said Capt. Tyson Scofield, commanding officer of the Cutter Waesche. “Their dedication, strength of character and resilience ensured the success of our mission, preventing over $275 million worth of illicit narcotics from reaching the United States and protecting our communities from the devastating effects of transnational crime.”
The successful interdictions were the result of coordinated efforts involving multiple U.S. agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security. The U.S. Coast Guard also worked closely with the Navy, Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and international partners in the fight against transnational organized crime.
The fight against drug cartels in the region is essential, as the drugs seized are often linked to the production and trafficking of dangerous substances like fentanyl, which has contributed to a public health crisis in the U.S.
The Cutter Waesche, homeported in Alameda, California, is one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s four “legend-class national security cutters.” The vessel is designed to operate in demanding open ocean environments, making it an integral part of efforts to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs in the Southern Pacific.
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