Crew of the suspected vessel was spotted throwing contraband overboard off the coast of Manta, Ecuador
The U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 4,500 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $34 million in what officials described as a suspected “narcoterrorist” vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Easter Sunday, according to DHS.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Coast Guard cutter Escanaba was alerted by a maritime patrol aircraft that the crew of a suspected narcoterrorist vessel was throwing contraband overboard.
The Coast Guard deployed an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew to investigate the vessel, which was operating off the coast of Manta, Ecuador.
DHS said the Escanaba crew deployed a cutter pursuit boat and recovered more than 4,510 pounds of cocaine.
