Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard seized approximately 500 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $6.4 million aboard a crude oil tanker at the Port of Los Angeles on May 21. The Department of Homeland Security said the joint operation led to one arrest and two additional detentions as federal agencies intensified maritime counter-narcotics enforcement operations.
The seizure follows expanded U.S. maritime interdiction activity during 2025, with Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard reporting record cocaine confiscations linked to transnational smuggling networks operating through Pacific shipping routes and major American ports.
Joint Boarding Operation at Port of Los Angeles
Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a joint boarding operation on the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia at the Port of Los Angeles on May 21, according to the Department of Homeland Security. During the inspection, a Coast Guard narcotics detection canine alerted boarding personnel to suspected contraband hidden aboard the vessel.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that officers later identified approximately 500 pounds, or more than 226 kilograms, of cocaine concealed on the crude oil tanker. Additionally, authorities estimated the narcotics carried a street value of roughly $6.4 million based on federal seizure assessments.
Cocaine Discovery and Vessel Inspection
Federal agencies said the boarding operation involved coordinated vessel inspection procedures designed to identify narcotics transshipment activity within the maritime transportation system. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard stated that rapid removal of the contraband allowed commercial operations at the port to continue with minimal disruption.
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Cocaine seized aboard tanker | 500 pounds recovered | Department of Homeland Security said HSI and Coast Guard officers discovered narcotics during a joint boarding operation |
| Estimated street value | $6.4 million | DHS valuation linked the seizure to broader maritime drug trafficking interdiction efforts |
| Operational location | Port of Los Angeles | HSI Los Angeles and Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach coordinated the vessel inspection |
Federal Agencies Coordinate Counter-Narcotics Effort
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Homeland Security Investigations worked alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and additional federal partners throughout the interdiction effort. According to DHS, the operation formed part of wider federal maritime security and counter-narcotics enforcement initiatives targeting transnational criminal organizations.
HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said the agency used investigative resources and rapid operational coordination to identify and remove narcotics destined for domestic narcotics distribution routes. Additionally, Wang stated that federal investigators continue pursuing individuals attempting to exploit U.S. ports and transportation infrastructure for drug trafficking operations.
Arrests and Custody Actions
DHS confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations arrested one individual connected to the operation, while two additional people were taken into custody. However, the department did not release further information regarding charges or identities at the time of publication.
- Custody Actions: The Department of Homeland Security confirmed one arrest and two additional detentions following the boarding operation.
- Operational Coordination: The U.S. Coast Guard stated the interdiction demonstrated coordinated maritime enforcement under DHS authorities.
- Port Security Focus: Homeland Security Investigations said the seizure reflected ongoing efforts to prevent exploitation of maritime transportation systems.
DHS Officials Highlight Maritime Security Mission
Federal officials described the seizure as part of broader maritime security operations designed to disrupt cocaine trafficking routes between Latin America and the United States. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard said interdiction missions remain focused on reducing illicit revenue streams supporting organized criminal networks.
Captain Stacey Crecy, Sector Commander at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, stated that coordinated DHS operations enabled authorities to detain suspects while limiting disruption to commercial shipping activity. Additionally, Crecy said maritime enforcement operations are intended to protect the transportation system while facilitating lawful commerce.
Stakeholder Comments
Eddy Wang, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Los Angeles, said Homeland Security Investigations remains committed to combating transnational criminal activity involving illicit narcotics entering domestic narcotics distribution routes. According to Wang, HSI investigative teams continue working with federal partners to disrupt organizations attempting to exploit U.S. ports.
Captain Stacey Crecy stated that the operation demonstrated coordinated enforcement capabilities across the Department of Homeland Security enterprise. Furthermore, the Coast Guard official said maritime interdiction operations are designed to dismantle drug smuggling efforts operating under federal maritime authorities.
Record Cocaine Interdiction Operations in 2025
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Homeland Security Investigations has seized more than 917,000 pounds of cocaine during 2025 operations. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard reported confiscating more than 511,000 pounds of cocaine during the same period, which the service described as more than three times its annual average.
Federal agencies linked the increased seizure totals to accelerated counter-narcotics operations along the southern border and expanded maritime enforcement missions in the Eastern Pacific under Operation Pacific Viper. Meanwhile, DHS stated that the combined operations disrupted trafficking revenue streams linked to transnational smuggling networks while preventing narcotics distribution within the United States.
Cocaine Seizure Statistics Table
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| HSI cocaine seizures in 2025 | Over 917,000 pounds seized | Department of Homeland Security linked the total to expanded land and maritime counter-narcotics operations |
| Coast Guard cocaine seizures in 2025 | Over 511,000 pounds seized | The U.S. Coast Guard stated the figure exceeds three times its annual average |
| Eastern Pacific operations | Accelerated deployments | Operation Pacific Viper increased Coast Guard interdiction activity targeting transshipment routes |
Ongoing Maritime Drug Smuggling Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Homeland Security Investigations and the Coast Guard continue conducting rapid-response maritime operations intended to disrupt narcotics trafficking networks operating across Pacific shipping corridors. Additionally, federal agencies said vessel interdictions remain a central component of broader maritime interdiction operations.
DHS said persistent maritime operations are intended to reduce the flow of illicit drugs into U.S. communities while limiting criminal organizations’ access to trafficking revenue. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard stated that ongoing coordination between maritime security agencies supports both commercial port security and counter-narcotics enforcement objectives.
The seizure aboard the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia represents another major maritime interdiction operation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard during 2025. Federal agencies linked the operation to broader counter-narcotics strategies targeting transnational trafficking routes through U.S. ports and Pacific maritime corridors.
DHS and Coast Guard officials said continued joint enforcement activity remains focused on disrupting criminal organizations, protecting transportation infrastructure, and disrupting narcotics trafficking routes entering the United States.
Sources: Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources.
Research combines AI-assisted analysis with human-edited accuracy and context.
