The Coast Guard takes 40,000 pounds of cocaine in the Pacific, releases photos of operations and boats on fire

The United States Coast Guard says it has seized more than 40,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean during the last month as part of counter-drug operations.

More than a dozen interceptions since August 8 led to drug seizures, as well as the apprehension of 36 alleged drug smuggers, the Coast Guard said in a press release on Thursday.

The actions took place through the Viper of the Pacific operation, which the Coast Guard has described as “an increase in the Eastern Pacific forces to stop posters and criminal organizations, cutting drugs and human smuggling before reaching the US coasts.” The Eastern Pacific sees the “significant transport” of illicit narcotics of South America, says the Coast Guard.

The Federal Agency, which is part of the National Security Department, published multiple images of recent operations. An image shows the crew members by watching a flame ship that was intercepted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in mid -August, says the Coast Guard. The authorities did not indicate why the boat was on fire.

Contra-drug operations have also been increased in the Caribbean Sea, where the United States Army recently carried out a “Lethal strike” In a boat that carries drugs from Venezuela, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The interceptions of the coastal guard in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea recently resulted in a Cocaine record That had “enough for the entire population of Florida,” said the Coast Guard. On that tour, the Coast Guard downloaded more than 38 tons of cocaine and marijuana last week in Fort Lauderdale, the largest discharge of cocaine in the history of the Coast Guard, authorities said.

The Coast Guard says that with the Viper of the Pacific operation, it is coordinating with international and inter -institutional partners to have assets such as cutters, airplanes and tactical equipment that interrupt the shipments of illicit medicines.

John Maclauchlan contributed to this report.

• Pacific Ocean