Crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Munro work on the flight deck during the contraband offload in San Diego on November 19, 2024. PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS RICHARD URANGA/U.S. COAST GUARD
A United States Coast Guard crew offloaded more than 13,154 kilograms (29,000 pounds) of cocaine, worth an estimated $335.8 million, in San Diego on November 19, 2024. The crew of USCG Cutter Munro (WMSL-755) delivered the illicit cargo that Coast Guard and Navy vessels intercepted from drug-smuggling vessels during recent patrols.
The massive bust was the result of 11 separate interdictions in September and October 2024 by the Munro, USCG Cutters Vigorous (WMEC-627) and Hamilton (WMSL-753) and Navy littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS-19), according to the Coast Guard Pacific Area. The interdictions, including the boardings, were led and conducted by U.S. Coast Guard members.
“I would put this crew on any mission, anywhere, at any time,” said Capt. James O’Mara, commanding officer of USCG cutter Munro. “They executed everything asked of them with incredible teamwork and persistence, and we are proud of the results. Hats off to all our international and interagency partners — we absolutely cannot do this mission without them. For our families and loved ones back home: your support keeps us going out there. It takes everyone’s head in the game to make these interdictions happen, and we are grateful you have our backs on the home front as we patrol the high seas and do our part to prevent dangerous narcotics from hitting cities around the globe.”
Multiple U.S. agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense, work together to fight transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, all play a role in operations against illegal drugs.
“Our partnerships and our collective abilities are vital to the security and prosperity of the hemisphere,” said Rear Adm. Joseph Buzzella, Commander of Coast Guard District 11. “The Eastern Pacific is a challenging environment — both operationally and logistically. The transit zone is a vast area of ocean to cover, far from home. Despite the challenges, the success of the Munro’s crew highlights the importance of what we do on the high seas.”
The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is conducted under the authority of Coast Guard District 11, whose headquarters are in Alameda, California. The Munro is the sixth Legend-class national security cutter and is homeported in Alameda.
In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in March 2024, Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), cited transnational criminal organizations in Mexico as a regional security threat. “(D)rug-related violence has escalated as rival cartels fight for control of lucrative drug and human trafficking routes. Cartels have also demonstrated a growing willingness to directly engage Mexican military, security forces and government officials, highlighting the need for continued theater security cooperation with our partners in Mexico.”