The cocaine, estimated to be worth approximately $180 million, was being smuggled in a semi-submersible low-tech submarine that travels with both its cockpit and exhaust pipe above water. The vehicles are reportedly extremely dangerous to operate, but they’re also very difficult to detect, making them appealing for those in the drug trade.
— Jim Eastridge (@jimEastridge1) August 6, 2015
The semi-sub was caught when a Navy maritime patrol aircraft flying overhead noticed something strange in the water and notified the
Coast Guard Cutter Stratton crew in Alameda, California, which deployed a boarding team.
Officials opened the top of the vessel and ordered those inside to surrender. Four men climbed out and were arrested. It is not currently known what charges they are facing.
But two tons of the contraband they also found onboard ended up at the bottom of the ocean, as the Coast Guard crew decided to leave it onboard the semi-submersible to stabilize the vessel as it was pulled to shore by their ship. Both the sub and the drugs sank, and are believed to be 13,000 feet under water.
Despite the loss, this is still reported to be the largest drug bust of its nature.
The bust took place on July 18, but information could not be released to the public until it was cleared by several governmental agencies.
The US Coast Guard has disrupted 15 other drug smuggling attempts since April, seizing $540 million and 33,000 pounds of narcotics, Mashable reported.
