The drug fight in the United States has turned into an unprecedented “ocean war.” Federal agencies, led by the Coast Guard (USCG), have recorded the largest amount of cocaine seized in the history of the service during the fiscal year 2025, showing that cartels are favoring vast maritime routes to flood the U.S. market.
Partial figures from 2025 indicate that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) intercepted nearly 231,332 kilograms (over 509,000 pounds) of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, a volume that surpasses land seizures and marks a historic record.
Operation ‘Pacific Viper’ and Mass Trafficking
The success of 2025 is attributed to massive operations such as ‘Operation Pacific Viper’, an international effort that disrupted at least 34 vessels and allowed for the confiscation of more than 45 tons of cocaine just between August and October.
Experts point out that the increase in cocaine production in South America has led to a mass maritime trafficking strategy:
Main Route: The Eastern Pacific has established itself as the primary exit point for cocaine heading to the U.S., surpassing Caribbean routes.
Amazon-Like Logistics: A drug expert described cartel operations as a logistics network that “rivals Amazon,” capable of securing multimillion-dollar shipments even if part of their cargo is lost.
The total amount seized this year equals over 193 million lethal doses that federal agencies prevented from reaching U.S. ports and cities.
Less Fentanyl
While cocaine sets maritime records, fentanyl shows a downward trend at the land border. Seizures of fentanyl at the southern border decreased by approximately 46% in weight in FY-2025 compared to the previous year.
However, authorities warn that this decline is not a cause for relief:
Illegal Pills: The DEA has seized over 44 million fake pills in the first half of 2025. A single event of fentanyl confiscation can represent hundreds of thousands of lethal doses.
High Potency and Adulteration: Fentanyl continues to be the leading cause of overdose deaths. The DEA reports that the drug is increasingly mixed with other substances (such as cocaine and methamphetamine) and with highly dangerous veterinary tranquilizers like xylazine and, more recently, medetomidine.
Diverse Routes: Cartels are suspected of diversifying their shipping methods, using postal services and other entry points to counter the increased surveillance at major land entry ports.
Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the DEA, highlighted in their 2025 threat assessment that the drug landscape remains “as dangerous as ever,” with the lethality of fentanyl countering any drop in seized amounts.