U.S. Coast Guard, USS Sampson conduct drug interdiction in Eastern Pacific

26 June 2025

PACIFIC OCEAN - The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy interdicted three suspected drug smugglers and more than 7,850 pounds of cocaine, with an assessed wholesale value of approximately $58.1 million, in the Eastern Pacific on Sunday morning.

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PACIFIC OCEAN - Members of a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) conduct small-boat operations and flight operations in the Pacific Ocean, June 22. The Sampson is employed under U.S. Northern Command's maritime homeland defense authorities with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities at the southern border. (Official U.S. Navy photo).

At 5:34 p.m., a Navy helicopter aircrew from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) observed a vessel displaying suspicious behavior. A small boat was launched from the Sampson with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 105 crew members aboard.

LEDET 105 crew members discovered three suspected drug smugglers aboard the vessel, all claiming non-U.S. nationality. The packages aboard the vessel tested positive for cocaine. All three individuals aboard were taken into custody aboard the Sampson.

PACIFIC OCEAN - Members of a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) seized approximately 7,850 pounds of contraband during a visit, board, search and seizure operation, June 22, 2025. Sampson is employed under U.S. Northern Command's maritime homeland defense authorities with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities at the southern border. (Official U.S. Navy photo).

The vessel, determined to be without nationality, was later sunk as a hazard to navigation.

U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide military forces and capabilities at the southern border. Sampson is employed under U.S. Northern Command's maritime homeland defense authorities with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity.