Coast Guard cutter Tahoma makes ‘triple threat’ cocaine busts, seizes nearly $45.8 million in narcotics off Colombia

MIAMI — A U.S. Coast Guard crew stopped three suspected smuggling vessels at the same time about 90 miles off Cartagena, Colombia, seizing roughly 6,085 pounds of cocaine valued at nearly $45.8 million on May 8, officials said. The haul was estimated to represent 2.3 million potentially lethal doses that will not reach U.S. communities.

The crew of the 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma launched two small boats and a deployed Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew to halt all three boats. One vessel refused to comply, prompting aerial use-of-force measures that included precision sniper fire to disable the engines, officials said. The people aboard jumped into the water, where the aircrew deployed flotation devices before they were rescued without reported injuries. The other two vessels stopped when directed.

“Interdicting three vessels simultaneously is a testament to the unwavering professionalism, precision, and dedication of our crews,” said Cmdr. Nolan Cuevas, Tahoma’s commanding officer. “This interdiction prevented a significant number of illegal narcotics from reaching America’s shores, and their teamwork underscores the Coast Guard’s mission to protect our nation and saving lives.”

The Coast Guard said Tahoma’s crew plans to offload about 8,185 pounds of narcotics, worth nearly $61.6 million, on Thursday at Port Everglades.

“Executing such a complex mission demands the highest proficiency from our crew,” Cuevas said. “Our success required the integration of thoughtful training, carefully planned logistics, and joint coordination. We are very proud of our efforts to prevent illicit networks from threatening our security.”

The operation involved the cutter Tahoma, the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, Joint Interagency Task Force South, and Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders.

Officials said the offload continues record-setting operations to interdict, seize, and disrupt maritime drug trafficking, including the seizure of more than 511,000 pounds of cocaine in 2025—over three times the service’s annual average—and accelerated counter-narcotics efforts in the Eastern Pacific through Operation Pacific Viper. Persistent patrols and rapid response have denied criminal networks billions in illicit revenue, according to the Coast Guard.

Roughly 80% of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea, underscoring the importance of maritime operations, officials said. Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West handles the detection and monitoring of illegal drug movements by air and sea; once an interdiction is imminent, the Coast Guard leads the law-enforcement phase. In the Caribbean, interdictions are conducted under the authority of the Coast Guard Southeast District, headquartered in Miami.

Tahoma is homeported at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, and operates under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.