Like something out of Narcos.
If you’ve watched Netflix’s drama Narcos, you’ll be familiar with the extraordinary lengths that drug cartels go to in order to traffic narcotics into new countries.
Well, the US Coast Guard have released a real life example of this because they showed exactly how the authorities intervene and stop a narco-submarine that’s travelling at great speeds on on the high seas.
In terms of the drugs that were being trafficked, CNN have reported that than 17,000 pounds of cocaine were seized. The haul has an estimated street value of $232 million.
The high speed chase took place on 18 June in the East Pacific Ocean and the raid was was just one of 14 drug smuggling interceptions that were carried out since May by the US Coast Guard off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America.
As you can see in the footage below, members of the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro jump on the purpose-built submarine.
Moments later, they managed to force the hatch open and confront the drug smugglers.
Purpose-build smuggling vessels like this one are designed to hold large quantities of contraband while evading detection by law enforcement authorities.
US Vice President Mike Pence met with the crew of the Cutter Munro on Thursday to praise their work.
Take a look at them in action.
Today @VP will visit @USCG Cutter MUNRO as the crew returns to the U.S. w/ 39k lbs. of cocaine seized in 14 #USCG busts, including this semi-submersible off South America. We combat cartels far from U.S. borders where they are most vulnerable – at sea. https://t.co/JyVHFOvu2E pic.twitter.com/98Lq5d3Vdb
— Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (@ComdtUSCG) July 11, 2019
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