A vessel harboring 3,800 pounds of cocaine tied to drug cartels was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard near Panama on Nov. 13, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The drugs were found in a self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel, which is a low-profile vessel designed to navigate lower in the water to avoid detection.
The vessel was intercepted by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter near Corpus Christi. The unidentified three-person crew was arrested and will face charges in the U.S.
The multi-day operation involved several agencies including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard.
A federal spokesman linked the vessel to drug cartels trying to sneak cocaine into the U.S.
"The drug cartels are relentless and extremely innovative," said National Air Security Operations Center - Corpus Christi Director Allen Durham. "Interdicting self-propelled semi-submersible vessels requires expertise and the right aircraft. Air and marine operations will continue to beat the cartels at their own game to protect our borders."
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