$203 million worth of cocaine seized from drug sub

Alameda, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard says it seized more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine from a vessel it stopped earlier this month.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf from Alameda, California, was alerted by a Customs and Border Protection aircraft about a so-called “drug sub” about 300 miles southwest of Panama.

Drug subs are semi-submersible vessels often used to smuggle drugs. The Coast Guard says that these vessels are made up of a mostly submerged hull, a cockpit, and an exhaust pipe. They are extremely difficult to detect due to their low profile.

The Coast Guard stopped the craft, and arrested four accused drug smugglers.

Officials say the drugs were worth more than $203 million.