Name: U.S. Coast Guard intercepts $360M cocaine haul amid strategy debate
Uploaded: 2025-11-20T02:19:28.198Z
Duration: 2 min 11 s
Description: As the U.S. Coast Guard unloads $360 million in seized cocaine, debate simmers about what the best approach is for anti-smuggling tactics on the high seas. Nicole Sganga spoke to a Coast Guard commander and DEA administrator Terry Cole.

As the U.S. Coast Guard unloads $360 million in seized cocaine, debate simmers about what the best approach is for anti-smuggling tactics on the high seas. Nicole Sganga spoke to a Coast Guard commander and DEA administrator Terry Cole.

Washington

The U.S. Coast Guard recently seized nearly 50,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at more than $360 million, in southern Florida. This marks the largest cocaine haul ever intercepted by a single Coast Guard cutter during one deployment. The operation, part of 'Operation Southern Spear,' highlights the Coast Guard's use of advanced ships and drone surveillance, which Vice Admiral Nathan Moore credits for the recent successes.

Despite the record-breaking seizure, there is ongoing debate within the Trump administration regarding the effectiveness of maritime drug interdiction. While President Trump has criticized the long-standing strategy as ineffective, DEA officials and Coast Guard leadership defend the approach, citing its impact on disrupting drug trafficking routes. In fiscal year 2025, the Coast Guard seized over 230,000 kilograms of cocaine, more than triple the yearly average, with expectations for further increases.

U.S. Coast Guard intercepts $360M cocaine haul amid strategy debate

We turn now to the Trump administration's crackdown on drug trafficking in recent months There's been much debate about the administration's military strikes on suspected drug boats tonight Nicole Skanga looks at a more traditional approach to drug interdiction on the high seas Military might on full display to stop the flow of drugs into the u.s. A mission dubbed Operation Southern Spear This video shows the Coast Guard's own efforts as they targeted a suspected drug smuggling boat This week the Coast Guard showed us a nearly 50,000 pound haul of cocaine brought on shore in southern Florida worth more than 360 million dollars It is the most cocaine ever seized by a single cutter like this in one deployment Vice Admiral Nathan Moore credits newer ships and drone surveillance We have better assets than we've ever had before and that leads directly to our success President Trump's big beautiful bill dedicated nearly 25 billion dollars for the Coast Guard this summer But last month he called the longtime strategy of interdicting drug boats at sea a major failure We've been doing that for 30 years and it has been totally ineffective DEA Administrator Terry Cole defended the mission arguing it strangled the flow of cocaine into the U.S. We'll continue to keep immense pressure on every trafficking route We're sitting on a boat with more than 360 million dollars of cocaine on it But the president says that maritime interdiction is a failed strategy How do you square that? We're going to apply every single tool to stop the narcotics of coming into the United States and killing American citizens In fiscal year 2025 the U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 230,000 kilograms of cocaine That is the highest haul on record, more than triple the yearly average and enough lethal doses to kill nearly half of all Americans Admiral Moore told us he expects that number to grow next year

President Trump said he signed a bill on Wednesday night requiring the Justice Department to release files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The DOJ now has 30 days to make the files public.

Trump says he's signed bill to release Epstein files

U.S. officials are now in Kyiv for the Trump administration's renewed push to end the Russia-Ukraine war. CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan has the details.

Kyiv

U.S. officials in Ukraine to push for renewed peace talks

Harvard University is opening a new inquiry into faculty connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Cam Srivastava, college administration reporter for The Harvard Crimson, joins CBS News with more.

Cambridge

Harvard announces new probe into faculty ties to Jeffrey Epstein

U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized a plan for the CIA in Venezuela, according to a New York Times report. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has more details.

Trump authorizes plans for CIA covert operation in Venezuela: report

An Israeli strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed 13 people and wounded several others, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Wednesday. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants who it said were operating in a training compound there.

Beirut

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike on Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13

The Epstein files bill is expected to reach President Donald Trump's desk for his signature on Wednesday (November 19). CBS News' Taurean Small reports.

Trump set to sign bill to release Epstein files

Microsoft and Nvidia plan to invest a combined $15 billion into Anthropic. Bloomberg Intelligence's Mandeep Singh discusses why two of the biggest backers of OpenAI are putting money into its rival.

San Francisco

Microsoft, Nvidia to invest up to $15 billion in Anthropic

Hamas rejects the US-drafted UN resolution for a Gaza ceasefire and international stabilisation force.

New York

UN Security Council vote: Hamas rejects Gaza 'peace resolution'

President Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday. The two leaders announced a boost in Saudi Arabia's planned investment in the U.S., from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.

Trump, MBS announce boost in Saudi investment to U.S.

President Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to further rehabilitate his global image after the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington.

Trump hosts Saudi crown prince for pomp-filled, deal-making visit

The Senate, through the process of unanimous consent, agreed to send the bill to President Trump's desk for his signature without any amendments once it's received from the House.

Senate to send Epstein files bill to Trump's desk for signature

The House has approved a bill that would require the Justice Department to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, which received bipartisan support, now awaits consideration in the Senate.

House passes bill that would force release of Jeffrey Epstein files

Hopes for a strong G20 declaration on climate and debt relief are slim as South Africa readies to host the summit from Saturday (November 22). Global tensions and a boycott by the United States threaten to overshadow the gathering.

Johannesburg

South Africa readies for G20 despite U.S. boycott

At least one person is dead and three others were injured after an attack in the West Bank, Israeli forces said. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council backed the U.S. plan for Gaza. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Jerusalem

Tensions escalate as U.N. Security Council backs Trump's plan for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, his first visit since Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in 2018. The crown prince has denied any involvement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visiting White House

The sale of the fighter jets is one of several major deals between the two countries expected to be announced during the visit.

Trump says he will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.K. government has proposed a major overhaul of its asylum rules, making it easier to deport people and quadruple the amount of time it takes to become a permanent resident.

London

U.K. introduces tougher laws for asylum seekers

In a blistering opinion, a federal judge in Virginia accused Justice Department prosecutor Lindsay Halligan of misconduct, saying there was a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps."

Virginia

DOJ accused of 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case

The United Nations Security Council has voted to adopt a U.S. resolution outlining President Trump's peace plan for post-war Gaza. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams has the details.

U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza plan

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford has arrived in the Caribbean, giving the United States the ability to strike inside Venezuela if President Trump gives the order. The U.S. has also sent thousands of troops to the region.

Trump 'won't rule out' sending troops to Venezuela amid rising tensions

President Trump now says Republicans should vote to release all of the files related to the federal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi and Nikole Killion have the latest on what could happen next.

Trump's Epstein files reversal comes amid pressure from allies

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called an explosion on a railway line “an unprecedented act of sabotage.” Donald Tusk did not say who he believed had carried out the attack, but a government minister said "foreign intelligence agencies" were responsible.

Warsaw

Railway line blast in Poland ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a landmark deal in Paris on Monday to buy 100 Rafale jets, drones, and air defense systems from France.

Paris

Ukraine signs deal with France for jets, air defense systems

The Federal Aviation Administration ended mandated cuts in domestic flights at 40 major U.S. airports, easing restrictions that had been imposed over air traffic control concerns during the federal shutdown.

FAA ends mandated cuts in domestic U.S. flights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state, a day before the UN Security Council will vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves the door open to Palestinian independence.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state ahead of UN vote

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity on Monday (November 17), concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

Dhaka

Bangladesh's ousted PM sentenced to death for protest crackdown

President Donald Trump now appears to support the release of all Jeffrey Epstein files as the House of Representatives readies for a vote on the matter. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.

House vote on Epstein files expected Tuesday

In the latest round of the Trump administration's sweeping immigration raids, federal agents arrested 81 people in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday alone. In videos posted online, some who were detained said they do have legal status.

Charlotte

ICE detains dozens in Charlotte

If the bill passes, the U.S. Justice Department would be required to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as details about the investigation into his death in federal prison.

Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files

Chile heads to a December runoff after Sunday's presidential vote left no clear winner. Leftist Jeannette Jara and far-right José Antonio Kast will now face off in a race dominated by concerns over crime and migration.

Breakdown