Watch: US Coast Guard intercepts smugglers in eastern Pacific ocean, drugs worth millions seized
Watch: US Coast Guard intercepts smugglers in eastern Pacific ocean, drugs worth millions seized
A viral video released by the US Coast Guard shows a gripping drug interdiction operation in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where service members aboard the USCGC Kimball executed a swift takedown of suspected drug smugglers on April 17, reported Fox News.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The dramatic footage, filmed by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley, captures Coast Guard personnel aboard a small vessel approaching the suspect boat, shouting commands in Spanish. '¡Manos arriba!' ("Hands up!") the crew shouted, prompting the suspects to immediately surrender by lying flat on the deck with their hands spread.
'The fifth interdiction during Kimball's patrol is a great example of how complex it is to stop illegal activities on the open ocean,' the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Officials noted that the mission involved aerial surveillance, tactical law enforcement action and the eventual sinking of the smuggling boat to prevent it from becoming a navigational hazard.
According to the Coast Guard, the USCGC Kimball intercepted and recovered narcotics worth an estimated $214 million across five operations, all of which were later offloaded in San Diego.
'Illegal drugs pose a dangerous threat to the American people, and the men and women of the Coast Guard do everything in their power to interdict drugs before they reach our shores,' the agency added.
The video, which has quickly gained attention online, highlights the Coast Guard's frontline role in battling
at sea.
Few days back, a massive federal investigation across five US states led to the arrest of 16 people and the seizure of over three million fentanyl-laced pills, part of a trafficking network tied to Mexico's notorious Sinaloa cartel. T
he DEA also recovered methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, $5 million in cash, and 49 firearms.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
One of the main suspects, 36-year-old Heriberto Salazar-Amaya, was captured in Oregon and now faces multiple federal charges.
'This historic drug seizure... removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl,' said US attorney general Pam Bondi, who also described fentanyl as a 'weapon of mass destruction.'
The recent busts on land and sea reflects the scale of America's ongoing drug crisis. With fentanyl overdoses now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 34, both the Coast Guard and the DEA are intensifying efforts to block the flood of deadly narcotics into the country.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
Im not a porn star: Diddy accuser says she asked to stop sex performances
Combs' former girlfriend testifies under pseudonym in sex trafficking trial Bad Boy Records founder accused of coercing women into 'Freak Offs' Defense says women participated consensually in performances NEW YORK, June 9 (Reuters) - One of Sean "Diddy" Combs' former girlfriends testified on Monday in the hip-hop mogul's sex trafficking trial that she told him in text messages that she felt mistreated in their relationship and asked to stop taking part in sexual performances with other men. "I'm not a porn star. I'm not an animal," the woman, testifying under the pseudonym Jane to protect her privacy, wrote Combs on October 16, 2023, according to a text message she read aloud in court. "It's loveless for me and nothing satisfies you and you always push me to do more and more." The messages could bolster prosecutors' contention that Combs, 55, for two decades coerced women to take part in the sexual performances, sometimes known as "Freak Offs," against their will. Combs is charged with using physical force and threatening to cut off financial support to get women to take part in the drug-fueled, sometimes days-long performances in hotel rooms while he watched. Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. His lawyers have acknowledged that Combs was occasionally abusive in domestic relationships, but say the women who took part in Freak Offs did so consensually. Jane, the third alleged sex abuse victim of Combs to testify at his trial in Manhattan federal court, told jurors last week that she was "head over heels" for Combs at the outset of their relationship, which lasted from 2021 through 2024. She testified that most of the time they spent together involved sex performances with male escorts in hotel rooms, even though she wanted to go on dates with just Combs. She said Combs - whose net worth Forbes estimated at above $1 billion in 2022 - threatened to stop paying her rent when she said she wanted to stop having sex with other men. Combs' defense lawyers are due to cross-examine Jane later this week. The trial is in its fifth week. Combs could face life in prison if convicted on all counts. Also known throughout his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Combs turned artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, elevating hip-hop in American culture and becoming a billionaire in the process. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller)
Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian consulate steps in over disturbing video of handcuffed student at Newark Airport
Hours after a disturbing video showed an Indian student handcuffed and pinned to the floor at USA's Newark Airport, the Consulate General of India in New York on Monday evening said it is in touch with local authorities over the matter. The Indian student was handcuffed and pinned before he was deported. The video was shared on social media by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain, who said that the youngster was crying and was treated like a 'criminal' by authorities. Taking to X over the incident, the Consulate General of India, New York, wrote, 'We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national is facing difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport. We are in touch with local authorities in this regard.' The Consulate remains ever committed for the welfare of Indian Nationals, the post read.
NDTV
33 minutes ago
- NDTV
Video Claims To Show Indian Man Handcuffed, Pinned To Floor At US Airport: "Treated Like A Criminal"
A disturbing video of an Indian man being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by authorities at Newark Airport in New Jersey has gone viral on social media. Kunal Jain, an Indian-American entrepreneur who shared the video, claimed that the incident occurred on June 7, when the student was scheduled to board a flight but was left behind and later deported. Mr Jain shared the footage on X, describing the treatment as "deeply inhumane" and a "human tragedy". He expressed outrage and helplessness over the incident, stating that the student was "crying, treated like a criminal" and had come to the US "chasing dreams, not causing harm". The entrepreneur has called upon the Indian Embassy in the US to investigate the matter and provide assistance to the student. He also tagged the Indian Embassy and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking help for the student. "I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night— handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy," the tweet read. Here's the video: I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night— handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy. @IndianEmbassyUS #immigrationraids — Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025 Mr Jain further stated that the student in the video appeared to be speaking Haryanavi. According to him, there have been multiple similar cases of Indians being deported recently due to their inability to explain the purpose of their visit to immigration authorities. Mr Jain noted that these individuals often receive their visas and board flights without issue, only to be detained and deported the same day, sometimes being restrained like criminals. "This poor kid's parent won't know what's happening to him. @IndianEmbassyUS @DrSJaishankar He was to be boarded last night on the same flight with me, but he never got boarded. Someone needs to find out what's going on with him with the New Jersey authorities. I found him disoriented," he added. NDTV is not able to verify the authenticity of the claims made by the user. The video has sparked widespread outrage and concern over the treatment of Indians abroad, with many demanding official intervention from the Indian government. However, some also questioned the circumstances surrounding the event. One user wrote, "Handcuffed? May be wrong, but did he come the right way? If not, then what is wrong if he is being deported?" Another commented, "You are not alone, most of the NRIs are not helpless, right word is useless when it comes to stand together. We are so selfish, in the next coming years we will feel the heat cos of our attitude." A third said, "What do u mean by he's not been able to explain to the US authorities. If he can't speak English, how did he clear his exams? What kind of courses was he going to take?" A fourth user added, "He was questioned for 5-6 hours, also an Indian chap called in to converse, but he failed to give correct answers, yes, he shouldn't be treated in sucha manner, rather escorting him and calling the embassy or consular but it seems they've a different set of rules."
