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

18 July 2025

From Courtesy Story

PACIFIC OCEAN — The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), interdicted two suspected drug smugglers, and seized approximately 3,439 pounds of cocaine in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, July 10.

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250710-N-LU681-1236 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Members of the Navy and Coast Guard Joint Operations Team aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) prepare to take part in the Pacific Watch mission, July 10, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq Martin)

While on routine patrol, the Sampson detected a go-fast vessel approximately 380 miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. The vessel displayed no indication of nationality and was operating in a known drug trafficking corridor. Its appearance and behavior aligned with known maritime smuggling trends, raising further suspicion.

Tactical control of the Sampson was transferred from U.S. 3rd Fleet to Coast Guard Southwest District for interdiction and apprehension authority. When the U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, launched from the Sampson and signaled its presence, the suspects aboard began jettisoning packages into the ocean. After warning shots were ineffective, the helicopter crew employed disabling fire, successfully stopping the vessel.

250710-N-LU681-1705 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Service members aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) haul seized contraband to a secured space in the Pacific Watch mission, July 10, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq Martin)

250710-N-LU681-1587 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Service members aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) interdict foreign entities from smuggling contraband across the U.S. border in the Pacific Watch mission, July 10, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq Martin)

250710-N-LU681-1352 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Members of the Navy and Coast Guard Joint Operations Team rides a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) during a contraband in the Pacific Watch mission, July 10, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq Martin) (Faces of personnel have been blurred for security reasons)

250710-N-LU681-1275 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Members of the Navy and Coast Guard Joint Operations Team aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) prepare to take part in the Pacific Watch mission, July 10, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq Martin)

250710-N-LU681-1064 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2025) Members of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team approach a helicopter onboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) prepare for the Pacific Watch mission, July 10, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq Martin)

The Sampson launched two boarding teams, which recovered several of the jettisoned packages and took positive control of the suspect vessel. Coast Guard law enforcement personnel conducted a boarding and determined the vessel to be without nationality, granting authority for a full law enforcement boarding.

The two suspected drug smugglers were taken into custody, and field tests confirmed the presence of cocaine aboard the go-fast.

Due to the vessel’s lack of tow points, absence of navigation lights, and poor seaworthiness, the Coast Guard deemed it a hazard to navigation and authorized the sinking of the vessel.

Tactical control of the Sampson has since been returned to U.S. 3rd Fleet for continued operations.

The Coast Guard routinely partners with U.S. Navy and interagency assets to counter transnational criminal organizations operating in the maritime domain.

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.