WASHINGTON, March 22 (UPI) -- In the second major drug bust in a week, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a record amount of cocaine with a value of $300 million in drug revenue.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced late Wednesday that approximately 42,845 pounds of cocaine was seized from the Panamanian flagged motor vessel Gatan off the coast of Panama on Sunday.
The San Diego-based Coast Guard cutter Hamilton and the Alameda, Calif.-based Coast Guard cutter Sherman made this latest apprehension.
"This record-breaking seizure was the result of good actionable intelligence and the closest collaboration among our interagency partners through Operation Panama Express," said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard.
According to the press release, a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft that spotted the Gatun on Saturday and a maritime agreement between the United States and Panama permitted the Coast Guard to board and search the vessel.
The 14 Panamanian and Mexican crewmembers aboard the Gatun were apprehended and transferred to authorities in the United States and Panama.
"This operation is a prime example of interagency teamwork among the DEA, the Coast Guard, and other Homeland Security and Department of Justice components," said Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.
"I also want to commend the Government of Panama for their continued assistance and cooperation. Because of the combined efforts of these federal and international partners, millions of dollars in illegal drugs did not make their way into our homeland and criminal groups were not able reap the huge profits," Chertoff said.
On March 15, following a joint investigation by the Mexican government and the U.S. DEA, authorities confiscated $200 million in cash from methamphetamine producers in Mexico City.
