U.S. Coast Guard released footage of Cutter Munro crew members storming a self-propelled semi-submersible suspected drug smuggling vessel (SPSS) on June 18, 2019. The vessel appeared to be carrying 17,690kg of cocaine and 423kg of marijuana, while operating in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The total estimated worth of the seized drugs is $569 million. Five suspects were also detained inside the vehicle.
Self-propelled submersible vessels, also known as “narco-subs”, are used by cartels and traffickers to smuggle drugs across borders.
The June 18 operation was one of 14 drug-smuggling vessels intercepted off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by three Coast Guard cutters between May and July 2019.
