Alameda-Based Coast Guard Cutter Munro Offloads $468M Worth of Cocaine

SAN DIEGO — The Alameda-based crew of Coast Guard Cutter Munro offloaded 33,768 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $468 million, on Tuesday in San Diego.

The drug haul is from eight separate suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coasts of Mexico, and Central and South America by the Munro in February and March.

“The crew put in an incredible amount of work over very long hours, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said Capt. Rula Deisher, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Munro. “Their dedication and grit goes to show that Munro is one of the best national security cutters in the fleet, and we are committed to keeping the country safe by stopping illegal drugs before they hit the street. There isn’t a better crew to serve with and I’m honored to have spent my final patrol with them.”

The US Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, collaborate in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, all play a role in counter-narcotic operations.

“I am extremely proud of this crew and their dedication to disrupting organized crime in the Eastern Pacific,” said Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, commander, Coast Guard District 11, which is headquartered in Alameda. “The effort put in while interdicting more than 33,000 lbs of cocaine in a few weeks’ time is unparalleled. We will continue our commitment to stopping these criminals and the vast amounts of drugs they attempt to bring into our country.”

The interdictions, including the boardings, are led and conducted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard.