Coast Guard Dude Surfs a Narco-Sub Packed With Cocaine
Published -
- July 12, 2019
- 5:40 pm
The U.S. Coast Guard raided a submarine speeding through the eastern Pacific Ocean moving more than 17,000 pounds of cocaine — and released a video Thursday to prove it.
On June 18, a Coast Guard surveillance aircraft tracked the drug-filled narco-sub hundreds of miles off the Colombian and Ecuadoran coastline watched by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro.
The video shows a member of the Coast Guard riding on top of the speeding sub, pounding on the hatch and demanded it come to a stop. Then, three other guardsmen jumped ship and boarded the 40-foot sub while one pounded on the hatch with his fist.
The video ends with a presumed trafficker emerging from the narco-sub, putting his hands up in surrender. Five alleged smugglers were seized aboard the vessel, and were handed over for prosecution by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
What does the incident highlight about the dangers of drug smuggling and the bravery of law enforcement officers?
On a recent day, a United States Coast Guard officer made a daring move when he surfed a narco-submarine loaded with cocaine. The incident took place in the Eastern Pacific, where the Coast Guard is actively seizing vessels loaded with drugs smuggled from South America.
The Guard officer, who has remained anonymous, was aboard the Cutter Munro, which is part of the Coast Guard fleet deployed in the region. The team spotted a suspicious-looking object and sent a helicopter to investigate. As the helicopter hovered near the object, the crew realized that it was a submarine hidden beneath the waves.
Within seconds, the crew of the submarine realized that they had been discovered and started to frantically dump their illegal cargo into the water. The Coast Guard moved in quickly, and a lifeboat was lowered to intercept the submarine. The pursuing team noticed that two individuals were inside the sub, and one of them appeared to be in distress.
At this point, the Guard officer spotted an opportunity to make a bold move. He jumped onto the sub and began surfing on top, being cautious not to fall into the water or get hit by the submarine’s hatch as it started to close. Ultimately, the surfer managed to stay on the sub’s roof while the lifeboat crew broke through the hatch and apprehended both individuals inside.
The officers eventually recovered over 12,000 pounds of cocaine from the surrounding waters, with a street value of over $165 million. According to the Coast Guard, the seizure was one of the largest in its history.
The incident highlights the dangers that exist in drug smuggling and the bravery of those who serve to protect our borders. It demonstrates the harsh reality of the fight against criminal organizations who seek to profit from the illegal narcotics trade. The Coast Guard’s success stories such as this one are a testament to the dedication and training of the service members who defend us against all forms of illegal activity.
The Coast Guard officer who surfed the narco-submarine is a true hero to those who seek to uphold the laws that protect us. The incident will be remembered as one of the most daring and audacious interdictions in the history of the Coast Guard. It is a reminder to all of us that no matter how formidable the odds, there are individuals who will always find a way to succeed.
