The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy have seized more than 75,000 pounds of cocaine and apprehended nearly 60 suspected narco-terrorists and drug smugglers since the start of Operation Pacific Viper in August, according to the Department of Homeland Security, as reported by Fox News.

Operation Pacific Viper, launched as part of President Donald Trump’s broader campaign to combat international drug cartels, is a joint maritime effort designed to counter the influx of narcotics into the United States.

Footage shared with Fox News Digital shows the Coast Guard cutter Seneca intercepting a low-profile vessel northeast of the Galápagos Islands on September 10. That interdiction alone yielded 5,500 pounds of cocaine.

Operation Pacific Viper has also included targeted actions against suspected narco-trafficking networks linked to Venezuela. Two separate strikes were carried out against alleged drug-laden vessels originating from the country.

The first interdiction resulted in the deaths of 11 suspected Tren de Aragua operatives, while the second resulted in three more individuals being neutralized.

“You had massive amounts of drugs,” President Trump told reporters on September 3 following the first strike.

“We have tapes of them speaking. It was massive amounts of drugs coming into our country to kill a lot of people. And, everybody fully understands that fact. You see it, you see the bags of drugs all over the boat, and they were hit. Obviously, they won’t be doing it again. And I think a lot of other people won’t be doing it again. When they watch that tape, they’re going to say, let’s not do this. We have to protect our country and we’re going to. Venezuela has been a very bad actor.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

In August, Trump authorized the deployment of several U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers to U.S. Southern Command to reinforce counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded to the operations by accusing the United States of provocation. Maduro said the deployment of Navy destroyers represented “an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat.”

After the second strike, he claimed the interdictions were part of a larger effort to “intimidate and seek regime change” in his country.

Maduro mocked the U.S. explanation for targeting Venezuelan vessels. “What were they looking for? Tuna? What were they looking for? A kilo of snapper?” Maduro told reporters.

“Who gave the order in Washington for a missile destroyer to send 18 armed Marines to raid a tuna fishing vessel? They were looking for a military incident.”

The Trump administration has repeatedly stated it does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, describing him instead as a figurehead for drug cartels.

Earlier this year, the administration formally designated cartels, including Tren de Aragua and Sinalo,a as foreign terrorist organizations.

Operation Pacific Viper remains ongoing, with U.S. officials indicating additional actions are likely as part of the broader strategy to reduce the flow of narcotics into the country.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.