Significant cocaine seizures continue to be reported along the US Southern Border as well as in known sea smuggling routes leading to the US. (The seaborne smuggling seizures continue a successful series of seizures by both the US Navy & US Coast Guard, which I wrote about last week).
The US Navy reports that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson recently seized 3,439 pounds of cocaine in international waters of the Pacific Ocean. The seizure was not without drama as a crewman aboard the smuggling boat began throwing its cargo overboard, and its pilot attempted to flee its pursuers. That unwise decision was answered by a burst of gunfire from an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter launched from the Sampson, which quickly disabled the vessel.
The two men aboard the smuggling boat were arrested by members of a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment assigned to the Sampson, who also retrieved the cocaine aboard the vessel, as well as the bales thrown into the ocean.
On July 20, 2025, US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Agents seized 580 pounds of cocaine aboard a pleasure boat off the coast of Puerto Rico. Two people aboard the vessel were arrested. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) took custody of the drugs and the suspects.
US allies are also contributing to the success in the battle against drug smugglers. The US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) reports that in recent weeks:
Colombia seized 3.2 metric tons of cocaine from a single cartel vessel
Peru’s INL-backed National Police unit intercepted 112 kilos of cocaine
Costa Rica’s Coast Guard nabbed 950 kilos of cocaine
Back on land, there are recent significant cocaine seizures to report along the US Southern Border with Mexico. On July 15, 2025, CBP Agents monitoring northbound traffic on the International Bridge in Hidalgo, Texas, discovered packages containing 66.35 pounds of cocaine worth $886,023 inside a car being driven by a US citizen. CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation.
On July 19, 2025, CBP Officers on Laredo's World Trade Bridge inspecting a northbound tractor-trailer discovered 15 packages containing 39.68 pounds of cocaine worth $529,848
A day later at the Ysleta, Texas Port of Entry, a CBP K9 took an interest in a 2001 Ford Explorer arriving from Ciudad Juárez, being driven by a 21-year-old American citizen. CBP Agents took a look inside and found a hidden compartment below the rear seat containing 10 bundles of cocaine weighing 42 pounds.
What percentage of the cocaine being smuggled into the United States do you think authorities are intercepting?
Share your opinion in the comments to this article.
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Jack, this is so important news to share with everyone. I am very grateful to CBP and their K9 team for stopping the madness of addiction. Thank you, Jack.
Great work by our incredible border agents and the Coast Guard too. Thanks for the update Jack. 🇺🇸 USA ❤️ 🇺🇸. I wouldn't even try to answer the question about the percentages JB.