US Coast Guard seizes 27 tons of cocaine on fishing boats

WASHINGTON, Sept 27 (AFP) - The US Coast Guard has seized a whopping 27 tons of cocaine on two fishing vessels that were intercepted in the Pacific Ocean this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.
"The two seizures are among the largest maritime seizures of cocaine in United States history," the government said in a statement.
A total of 18 people onboard the two fishing boats were arrested during the interceptions.
The first boat, the Lina Maria, was intercepted on September 17, 483 kilometers (300 miles) southwest of the Galapagos Islands. Just over 14 tons of cocaine was seized and ten crewmembers were arrested.
The second vessel, the San Jose, was intercepted on September 26, 1,609 kilometers (1,000 miles) south of Manzanillo, Mexico. A total 13 tons of cocaine were seized and eight crew arrested.