CG intercepts an interesting drug runner boat

[Ouderkirk]

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) P-3 Long Range Tracker (LRT) crew worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to seize over two tons of cocaine valued at nearly $55 million.

The crew was patrolling the Eastern Pacific Aug. 3 in coordination with the Joint Interagency Task Force South when they detected a Low Profile Vessel (LPV).

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter intercepted the LPV, apprehending four people who were moving 63 bales of cocaine weighing 4,215 lbs. valued at $54,938,310.

 

[Ouderkirk]

Should have just sunk the thing and left it at that.

 

[Old Texan]

Like to see the vessel when they get it in drydock.....Pretty interesting looking rig

 

[Mandelon]

It looks like they were going for a low surface radar profile.. oops.

 

[Ouderkirk]

It looks like they were going for a low surface radar profile.. oops.

The key thing... is there is no way to get past FLIR. The heat signature gives them away and that's how they found it from another article that I found about it.

The drug cartel that had it built spent some serious cash. This wasn't Jose & Pedro in a pirated Cigarette 41 or Juan flying a Cessna at treetop. This was a purpose built hauler bringing in over two tons of this stuff.

They should have just sunk it and no said a word. When it didn't show up at the rendevous point/time they could wonder what happened to it.

 

[pwerwagn]

I wonder how many successful trips it has made thus far?

 

[was thatguy]

It’s different from the semi submersibles.
I think the first semis had inboard power with snorkels for intake and exhaust...or were actually towed by a pilot craft. This appears to have outboards.

 

[was thatguy]

I wonder how many successful trips it has made thus far?

I don’t know what the numbers are these days, but I believe they used to operate with a 20% loss margin?

 

[stevesdcb]

Cool article, glad they caught them.

 

[pkrrvr619]

With all the cartel's cash, how do they not have an armada of submarines?

http://www.cosmicme.com/personal-submarines-sale.html

They are out there to purchase...

 

[was thatguy]

With all the cartel's cash, how do they not have an armada of submarines?

http://www.cosmicme.com/personal-submarines-sale.html

They are out there to purchase...

They do.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

With all the cartel's cash, how do they not have an armada of submarines?

http://www.cosmicme.com/personal-submarines-sale.html

They are out there to purchase...

Why buy one of these when you could get a Russian built diesel electric Kilo for about 300mm. For 350mm you can get one of the new Lada subs that run the AIP system that is even quieter. If your moving 50mm in drugs a trip one of these would be a pretty good ROI if your loss % goes down. These guys have tried all kinds of crazy stuff to get drugs past the Coasties and DEA. The first self propelled drug semi submersible was detected in 2006. By 2009 60 subs or semi submersible vehicles were detected that year. Out of the 214 detected by 2014 only 45 were caught. They found this one in the jungle in Ecuador before it was able to put to sea back in 2010.:

Here's another one:

=
Neat article on the stuff they have caught.
http://www.hisutton.com/Narco Subs 101.html

 

[Riverbound]

Well there goes my weekend plans

 

[WhatExit?]

Looks like a long boat with outboards

Cartel sub with other vessels:

9/17/17: The Coast Guard has interdicted seven low-profile drug smuggling vessels since June 2017 resulting in the seizure of more than 22,850 pounds of cocaine worth over $306 million. Low-profile vessels are specifically designed for smuggling illicit cargo such as drugs, weapons and cash. These smuggling vessels ride low in the water to reduce their radar signature, have multiple outboard motors to allow them to travel at high speeds and are painted to blend with the water to avoid detection from military and law enforcement authorities operating in the region.

 

[badluck24/7]

Should have just sunk the thing and left it at that.

No way... the CIA will take the coke and sell it and then the vessel will be misplaced and back in cartel hands. Sounds like a movie.

 

[rush1]

My son is in the opening scene on National Geographic special on these things , he helped right the operational book on capturing them. They are a pretty crazy deal.