{"id":2421627,"date":"2025-04-09T13:08:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T17:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondi-coast-guard-intercepts-509m-of-drugs-from-smugglers-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-09T13:14:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T17:14:28","slug":"bondi-coast-guard-intercepts-509m-of-drugs-from-smugglers-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondi-coast-guard-intercepts-509m-of-drugs-from-smugglers-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Bondi: Coast Guard intercepts $509M of drugs from smugglers &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbondi-coast-guard-intercepts-509m-of-drugs-from-smugglers-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2421627&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a significant achievement by the Trump administration in combatting drug trafficking, as the Coast Guard seized over $509 million worth of illegal drugs linked to Mexican cartels during recent operations in the Eastern Pacific. This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ind-law-enforcement-announces-biggest-drug-bust-in-bartholomew-county-history\/\" title=\"Ind. law enforcement announces biggest drug bust in Bartholomew County history\">drug bust<\/a>, involving more than 48,400 pounds of primarily cocaine and some marijuana, is attributed to the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. The seizures took place near Ecuador, Peru, and the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands as Coast Guard cutters returned from missions.Bondi referred to the effort as a &#8220;major blow&#8221; to the financial operations of these cartels, emphasizing the collaboration between various goverment agencies, including the DOJ and Department of Homeland Security. Eleven smugglers, associated with these illicit activities, have been arrested and will face federal drug trafficking charges. The declaration came alongside a broader discussion about <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">rising drug overdose deaths linked<\/a> to cocaine, exacerbated by the addition of fentanyl by illicit drug manufacturers.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DOJ deals &lsquo;major blow&rsquo; to Mexican cartels with $509 million drug bust by Coast Guard: Bondi<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2043630\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Attorney General <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pam Bondi<\/a> said the Trump administration dealt a &ldquo;major blow&rdquo; to two Mexican <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drug-cartels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">drug cartels<\/a> following the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/coast-guard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Coast Guard&rsquo;s<\/a> seizure of half a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-sneaks-in-massive-ukraine-spending-package-11-days-before-trump-enters-office\/\" title=\"Biden Sneaks In Massive Ukraine Spending Package 11 Days Before Trump Enters Office\">billion dollars&#038;rsquo<\/a>; worth of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-border-sheriff-on-border-crisis-biden-owns-this-we-had-it-under-control-under-trump\/\" title=\"Arizona Border Sheriff On Border Crisis: Biden \u2018Owns This,\u2019 \u2018We Had It Under Control\u2019 Under Trump\">illicit drugs<\/a> during recent deployments.<\/p>\n<p>Bondi announced in Fort Everglades, Florida, on Wednesday that two Coast Guard cutters returning from deployments in the Eastern Pacific Ocean had intercepted<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news.uscg.mil\/Press-Releases\/Article\/4124997\/media-advisory-coast-guard-to-offload-more-than-5175-million-in-illegal-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> <\/a>$509 million worth of illegal drugs interdicted from smuggling boats near Ecuador, Peru, and the Gal&aacute;pagos Islands.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3373893\/michelle-lujan-grisham-turquoise-alert-missing-native-americans\/\">Michelle Lujan Grisham signs turquoise alert into law for missing Native Americans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3373861\/menendez-brothers-los-angeles-district-attorney-wont-resentence\/\">LA DA won&#8217;t resentence Menendez brothers until they give up &#8216;lie&#8217; about parent&#8217;s murder<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3373234\/witness-ryan-routh-trump-assassination-attempt\/\">Ryan Routh seeks to suppress eyewitnesses of Trump assassination attempt<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3369772\/wes-moore-weighs-signing-maryland-bill-block-ice-schools-libraries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"WES MOORE WEIGHS SIGNING MARYLAND BILL TO BLOCK ICE FROM SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES\">WES MOORE WEIGHS SIGNING MARYLAND BILL TO BLOCK ICE FROM SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a textbook example of the Justice Department supporting the fight against violent crime,&rdquo; Bondi said during a press conference staged in front of the ship. &ldquo;We believe two cartels, [Jalisco New Generation] and Sinaloa, were heavily tied to these shipments. This is a major blow to their financial operation and their efforts to distribute drugs throughout our country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The 48,400-pound seizure was composed of more than 90% pure, uncut cocaine, as well as 3,800 pounds of marijuana.<\/p>\n<p>Smugglers on board the vessels were associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, which the State Department in February <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3324941\/rubio-names-eight-latin-gangs-terrorist-organizations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">declared<\/a> foreign terrorist organizations.<\/p>\n<p>Coast Guard cutters typically deploy for two-month stints and may seize several million to tens of millions of dollars worth of cocaine, making this latest haul by Cutters <em>James<\/em> and <em>Mohawk<\/em> significant. Cocaine is largely produced in Colombia and then trafficked by sea to Mexico and the United States.<\/p>\n<p>FBI Director Kash Patel said this large seizure was the result of cooperation between the DOJ, military, and Department of Homeland Security to target cartels who smuggle narcotics and immigrants to the United States.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is what it looks like when the United States whole-of-government approach brings every resource to bear,&rdquo; Patel said during the press conference. &ldquo;They are going to get all the drugs off the streets, off the markets, and as Attorney General Bondi said, we are going to lock them up. They are no longer going to be free to roam. We are going to dismantle the next-man-up theory that has been breeding in these Mexican cartels for generations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The 11 smugglers arrested by the Coast Guard will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney&rsquo;s Office in the Middle District of Florida on federal drug trafficking charges.<\/p>\n<p>The massive seizures come three weeks after Coast Guard Cutters <em>Stone<\/em> and <em>Mohawk<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/3353757\/kristi-noem-coast-guard-cocaine-seizure-border\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">returned<\/a> home from deployments with $517 million of illicit drugs.<\/p>\n<p>Drug overdose deaths involving cocaine have risen steadily over the past two decades. In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 6,784 cocaine-related deaths.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, the last available year for data, deaths from cocaine rose to 27,569.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3352297\/border-patrol-chief-unprecedented-cooperation-mexico-canada\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3369772\/wes-moore-weighs-signing-maryland-bill-block-ice-schools-libraries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">WES MOORE WEIGHS SIGNING MARYLAND BILL TO BLOCK ICE FROM SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The reason for the increase is due to illicit drugmakers mixing fentanyl into cocaine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The number of deaths in combination with fentanyl has increased significantly since 2015 and is the main driver of cocaine-involved overdose deaths,&rdquo; NIDA wrote in a <a href=\"https:\/\/nida.nih.gov\/research-topics\/trends-statistics\/overdose-death-rates#Fig8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2043630\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2043630\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ strikes a significant blow to Mexican cartels with $509M drug bust<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2655,"featured_media":2421628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pam-Bondi.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[45543,41155,53134,53135,32076],"class_list":["post-2421627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bondi","tag-coast-guard","tag-drug-interception","tag-smugglers-2","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pam-Bondi.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2421627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2421627"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2421627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2421632,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2421627\/revisions\/2421632"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2421628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2421627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2421627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2421627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}