The United States has delivered a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) by seizing approximately 21 tons of cocaine and marijuana, with an estimated value of nearly $510 million. On Wednesday, at Port Everglades in Florida, the Coast Guard reported confiscating over 20,800 kilograms of cocaine and an additional 1,700 kilograms of marijuana, valued at roughly $509.9 million.
In an official statement, the Coast Guard explained that the seizure followed the detection of illegal drug movements both by air and sea in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, stretching from southern Mexico to northern Peru. This massive operation, announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, marks one of the largest maritime interdictions in recent U.S. history and sends a powerful message to the leading drug cartels operating in Latin America.
Advanced Intelligence and Technology Support a Multinational Effort
The drugs were intercepted during an extensive operation led by the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the FBI and other federal security agencies. The operation involved military vessels, patrol aircraft, and surveillance drones working in coordination to monitor suspect vessels traversing the Eastern Pacific Ocean—a key route for drug trafficking from southern Mexico to northern Peru. Spanning six weeks, the operation ran from January 5 to February 15.
"Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Coast Guard and the FBI, these drugs will help incarcerate criminals instead of destroying lives," emphasized Pam Bondi during a press briefing held on April 9.
Significant Financial Impact on Organized Crime
The massive seizure is being hailed as a "major blow" to the financial operations of three of Latin America's most dangerous criminal organizations: the Sinaloa Cartel, the CJNG, and the Gulf Clan. These groups are notorious not just for drug trafficking, but also for engaging in high-risk activities such as arms smuggling, money laundering, and human trafficking.
In addition to the seized drugs, 34 alleged drug traffickers were arrested and are facing federal charges in U.S. courts. Formal charges have been brought against 11 individuals.
Transnational Cartels with Sophisticated Operations
The Sinaloa Cartel, regarded as Mexico's oldest criminal group, maintains a hierarchical structure and operates across multiple continents. Despite the capture of its historical leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, the organization has preserved its operational capacity, continuing to dominate cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking to the U.S. and Europe.
Meanwhile, the CJNG, founded in the early 2010s, has emerged as the fastest-growing cartel, known for deploying paramilitary tactics, high-powered weaponry, and a modern logistical network. Led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka "El Mencho," the CJNG has displaced rivals in several Mexican states and expanded its influence in Central and South America.
Both organizations have been designated as "foreign terrorist organizations" by the Trump administration, granting the U.S. government broader legal and military tools to combat them. "This administration has labeled them as foreign terrorist organizations because that is exactly what they are," declared FBI Director Kash Patel, who accompanied Bondi at Port Everglades.
Maritime Interdiction: A Key Strategy in the War on Drugs
U.S. authorities have consistently highlighted the Eastern Pacific as a heavily trafficked route for cocaine smuggling from producing countries—Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia—to Central America, Mexico, and ultimately the United States. Criminal organizations utilize fast boats, semi-submersibles, and increasingly sophisticated routes to avoid detection.
"The Coast Guard will continue operations to intercept and seize transnational shipments of cocaine, marijuana, and other illicit drugs by sea," states an official release, also noting the growing threat these corridors pose for the introduction of illegal fentanyl.
Trump's Anti-Drug Policy: A Tough Stance with Public Visibility
Pam Bondi's presence in front of a military vessel and tons of seized drugs also serves a political strategy. The Trump administration has prioritized combating drug trafficking as a cornerstone of its national security policy and border control efforts. This includes increased funding for security forces, judicial reforms, and diplomatic pressure on countries considered transit or production points for narcotics.
In her statement, Bondi reaffirmed the government's priorities to "dismantle the sophisticated drug cartel networks" and "pursue traffickers contributing to the addiction crisis in the United States."
Key Questions About U.S. Drug Seizures
What was the estimated value of the drugs seized by the U.S. Coast Guard?
The estimated value of the drugs seized was nearly $510 million.
Which criminal organizations were targeted in this operation?
The operation targeted the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and the Gulf Clan.
How long did the operation last?
The operation spanned six weeks, from January 5 to February 15.
What tactics did the cartels use to evade detection?
Criminal organizations used fast boats, semi-submersibles, and sophisticated routes to evade detection.