Coast Guard
Coast Guard, Navy recover nearly 1,300 pounds of cocaine in Eastern Pacific
Stars and Stripes
August 19, 2025
U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 105, embarked aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson, prepare to board a rigid-hull inflatable boat while conducting maritime interdiction operations in the Eastern Pacific, Aug 11, 2025. (Sheryssa Dodard/U.S. Navy)
A U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, embarked the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson, intercepted a suspected drug smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific last week.
Members from LEDET 105 and the Sampson recovered 1,296 pounds of cocaine on Aug. 11, and two individuals were taken into custody, the service said in a Monday news release.
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson transfer contraband in the Eastern Pacific on Aug. 11, 2025. (Sheryssa Dodard/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 105 embarked aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson prepare to offload contraband from a rigid-hull inflatable boat in the Eastern Pacific on Aug. 11, 2025. (Sheryssa Dodard/U.S. Navy)
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49, U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 105, and sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson, interdict contraband in the Eastern Pacific on Aug. 11, 2025. (Sheryssa Dodard/U.S. Navy)
Sampson, operating in a known drug-trafficking corridor, identified a suspicious vessel showing indicators of smuggling, including excessive fuel barrels and visible packaged cargo.
A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49 as well as a rigid-hull inflatable boat were launched to intercept. As the suspect vessel attempted to flee and began throwing packages overboard, the helicopter crew employed disabling fire, successfully halting the vessel without injury.
Due to deteriorating seaworthiness and heavy seas, the vessel was left to sink after deeming it unsafe to tow.
Sampson has a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity.