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The United States Coast Guard saw big results in 2025, highlighted by a record-high number of narcotics-related seizures.
USCG forces operating in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean last year achieved the largest annual maritime drug interdiction results in service history, seizing more than 511,000 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $3.8 billion. Officials said the seizures prevented more than 193 million potentially lethal doses from reaching the U.S., adding that counter-drug and law enforcement operations saved American taxpayers over $10 billion in avoided costs—including over $2.3 billion in health care costs just from cocaine interdictions.
A USCG spokesperson told Military.com that the service’s average annual seizure weight prior to 2025 was 167,000 pounds, with one kilo of cocaine worth $16,588.
“The men and women of the Coast Guard delivered extraordinary results for our Nation in 2025,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, acting commandant, in a statement on Friday. “From securing the border and interdicting illegal drugs to facilitating maritime commerce and responding rapidly to crises, their success is driving the momentum we carry into 2026.”
Cocaine Interdictions
USCG officials credit different operations and vessels that resulted in a record-setting year of maritime accomplishments.
One operation, called Operation Pacific Viper, launched in August 2025 and sent U.S. forces to the Eastern Pacific to stop cartels and criminal organizations by interdicting drugs and illegal aliens before reaching domestic shores. The operation maintained pressure on criminal subjects by integrating cutters, aircraft, unmanned systems and specialized forces in various maritime zones.
In about a two-month span, Operation Pacific Viper had successfully resulted in the seizure of more than 100,000 pounds of cocaine—an average of more than 1,600 pounds interdicted daily. The seizures led to U.S. apprehension of 86 individuals suspected of narco-trafficking behaviors.
Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, deputy commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, said in October that the seizures in that region marked a “remarkable achievement.”
Also in August, the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, known as HITRON, conducted its 1,000th counter-narcotics interdiction. The mission led to the successful use of airborne force to disable a narco-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, adding to the more than $2.1 billion in illicit drugs interdicted in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean by HITRON last year.
Immigration Patrol and Other Feats
Along with the copious amounts of drugs interdicted in various waterways, USCG also touted deterring and/or transporting more than 11,000 illegal aliens across the over 100,000 miles of U.S. border patrolled by the service.
A specific mission launched in March 2025 and called Operation Border Trident, meant to combat transnational terrorist and criminal organizations and illegal alien activity in the California Coastal Region. Officials said the operation “surged assets, including Fast Response Cutters, National Security Cutters, aircraft, and unmanned systems to curb the flow of illegal maritime migration.”
Interdictions in the region increased 44% over 2024 levels, according to the service.
Among the other aspects touted from its 2025 performance were the service’s highest recruiting increases since 1991, aid provided during flash flooding events in different pockets of the country, saving 5,220 lives, assisting 19,437 people, and saving or assisting more than $1.02 billion in property.
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21 Comments
The Coast Guard’s record-setting year is a significant achievement, and it’s interesting to see how they are using data and analytics to inform their operations and optimize their efforts.
The impact of the Coast Guard’s efforts on the communities that are affected by the drug trade is likely to be significant, and it will be interesting to see how these communities are impacted by the reduction in narcotics trafficking.
Adm. Kevin E. Lunday’s statement about the Coast Guard’s success driving momentum into 2026 is reassuring, and it will be interesting to see how they build on their achievements in the coming year.
The Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron’s 1,000th counter-narcotics interdiction is a remarkable achievement, and it’s impressive to see the successful use of airborne force to disable a narco-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
I’m concerned about the potential for retaliation from the cartels and criminal organizations that are being targeted by the Coast Guard, and I wonder if they are taking adequate measures to protect their personnel and assets.
That’s a valid concern, but the Coast Guard has a long history of operating in high-risk environments, and they have a robust set of protocols and procedures in place to protect their personnel and assets.
The fact that the Coast Guard’s average annual seizure weight prior to 2025 was 167,000 pounds, and they were able to more than triple that in 2025, is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
It’s also worth noting that the value of the seized narcotics has increased significantly, with one kilo of cocaine worth $16,588, making the total value of the seized narcotics over $3.8 billion.
I’m curious to know more about the Operation Pacific Viper that was launched in August 2025, which resulted in the seizure of more than 100,000 pounds of cocaine in just two months.
The Coast Guard’s ability to integrate cutters, aircraft, unmanned systems, and specialized forces in various maritime zones is a key factor in their success, and it’s interesting to see how they are using these different assets to achieve their objectives.
I’m skeptical about the long-term impact of these seizures on the drug trade, and I wonder if the Coast Guard’s efforts are simply pushing the problem to other areas or if they are having a significant impact on the overall supply chain.
That’s a valid concern, but it’s also worth considering that the Coast Guard’s efforts are part of a larger strategy to disrupt and dismantle the drug trade, and their successes are likely to have a ripple effect on the entire operation.
The Coast Guard’s ability to interdict and seize narcotics is not only saving lives but also saving American taxpayers over $10 billion in avoided costs, including over $2.3 billion in health care costs from cocaine interdictions.
The fact that the Coast Guard is able to facilitate maritime commerce and respond rapidly to crises while also interdicting narcotics is a testament to their versatility and effectiveness as a military branch.
The record-setting year of maritime accomplishments by the Coast Guard is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it’s reassuring to see the impact they are having on the safety and security of our nation.
The Coast Guard’s record-high seizure of over 511,000 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $3.8 billion is a significant achievement, and it’s interesting to note that this has prevented more than 193 million potentially lethal doses from reaching the U.S.
The Coast Guard’s role in deterring and transporting more than 11,000 illegal aliens is also an important aspect of their mission, and it’s interesting to see how their efforts are impacting immigration patterns.
The fact that the Coast Guard was able to seize more than $2.1 billion in illicit drugs in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean through the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron is a significant achievement, and it’s impressive to see the impact they are having in these regions.
I’m curious to know more about the specialized forces and technologies used by the Coast Guard in their interdiction efforts, and how they are leveraging these assets to achieve their goals.
The Coast Guard’s success in interdicting narcotics is likely to have a significant impact on the overall drug trade, and it will be interesting to see how the cartels and criminal organizations respond to these efforts.
I’m impressed by the Coast Guard’s ability to work with other agencies and organizations to achieve their goals, and it’s reassuring to see the level of cooperation and collaboration that is occurring.