Air and Marine Operations P-3 Aircrew Partners with El Salvadorian Law Enforcement, Seizes 3,300 Pounds of Cocaine

Air and Marine Operations (AMO), an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, leveraged its long-range detection capabilities to assist in the interdiction of a go-fast vessel smuggling narcotics in the Eastern Pacific.

During a routine patrol, an AMO P-3 Long Range Tracker crew detected a suspicious go-fast vessel and relayed the information to Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S). The AMO aircrew provided real-time tracking and vectored an El Salvadorian law enforcement vessel to interdict.

As the law enforcement vessel closed in, the smugglers jettisoned their contraband in an attempt to evade capture. The AMO P-3 aircrew maintained surveillance, later relocating the debris field and directing authorities to recover the discarded narcotics. El Salvadorian law enforcement successfully interdicted the go-fast, detaining three individuals, and seized approximately 3,300 pounds of cocaine.

AMO’s P-3 aircraft play a critical role in disrupting transnational criminal organizations by providing persistent aerial surveillance over vast maritime smuggling routes. Through strong partnerships, AMO continues to safeguard the nation’s borders and prevents illicit narcotics from reaching the United States.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more information on Air and Marine Operations, visit www.cbp.gov or follow AMO on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.