San Diego coast guard intercept more than 18,000lbs worth of cocaine worth $239million in six separate drug busts in one month - with largest seizure from a narco-submarine

The coast guard has intercepted more than 18,000lbs of cocaine worth $239million in six separate drug busts in just one month, the largest of which was taken from a narco-submarine.

The drugs were offloaded in San Diego this week after they were seized in operations off the coasts of Mexico, Central America and South America by two coast guard ships in November.

The largest drug seizure came from a narco-submarine. The cocaine weighed more than 5,500lbs and was seized by coast guard ship Waesche on November 20, according to a USCG statement.

'Our last interdiction of a semi-submersible vessel was noteworthy since it was the first semi-submersible interdicted in the Eastern Pacific in over three years,' said Captain Robert Mohr, the commanding officer of the Waesche.

'I am extremely impressed with the crew's dedication throughout this dynamic patrol. They overcame multiple challenges with collective hard work, ingenuity, and positive attitudes to keep us in pursuit of these cartels and their dangerous drugs. 

'A successful patrol like this one is rewarding and leads to better retention and recruiting efforts because everybody feels a sense of accomplishment.' 

The Waesche is a 418ft-long national security cutter, which is a ship used to support homeland security off the coast.

The second coast guard ship responsible for the cocaine seizures is called Active, which is primarily assigned to law enforcement and search-and-rescue missions. In two of the six operations, the Active brought home 4,000lbs of drugs.

Overall, more than 40 tons of cocaine were seized by the coast guard this year according to official data, which makes it the third most seized drug after marijuana and meth. 

The ship is one of eight in its class operated by the Coast Guard, and has a home port in Alameda, California.

'I am proud of the unity of effort displayed by US Coast Guard members aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche and our partners who stopped these narcotics from entering our Nation through the maritime domain,' said Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, commander, US Coast Guard Pacific Area. 

Attorney for the southern District of California, Tara McGrath, also thanked the coast guard.

She said: 'The significance of keeping this much cocaine from reaching our shores and streets is, no doubt, life-changing. 

'Without these 9 tons of cocaine on American streets, fewer people will have access to this toxic poison, and hundreds of millions of dollars will not make it into cartel coffers.

'The crew of the Waesche and the entire U.S. Coast Guard is to be commended for protecting our nation from the devastation, violence, and addiction that cocaine brings to our communities.'