The P-3 Orion Helps the Feds Seize Over 77 Tons of Illegal Drugs

The Air and Marine Operations unit of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has worked with its federal and international partners to seize 121,667 pounds of cocaine and 33,226 pounds of marijuana in international waters.

Michael Wildes

Monday, September 12, 2022 at 06:10 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The Air and Marine Operations (AMO) of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) significantly intercepts illegal drugs, seizing over 150,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana in the first three quarters of FY22 and blocking an estimated $2.4 billion in transactions.
AMO's success is largely attributed to its extensive resources, including 1,800 agents, 240 aircraft, and hundreds of marine vessels, making it the largest aviation and maritime law enforcement agency.
Key to AMO's drug interdiction missions are its Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft, which conduct long-range aerial patrols and surveillance, known for their extended endurance and ability to operate in all weather conditions, often working in tandem for detection and interception.
Despite increasing success in drug seizures, including a notable rise in fentanyl confiscations, CBP is actively recruiting qualified pilots (Air Interdiction Agents) for these operations, offering special salary rates to address hiring challenges.

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The Air and Marine Operations (AMO),an operational unit of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, is helping keep illegal drugs off the streets. The AMO reported at the end of August that, through just three fiscal quarters of 2022, it worked with its federal and international partners to seize 121,667 pounds of cocaine and 33,226 pounds of marijuana in international waters. That’s an estimated $2.4 billion in illegal transactions the agency said it’s blocked.

The AMO’s efforts were successful in large part because of its aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, equipment, and intelligence. The unit has 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and hundreds of marine vessels that operate throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making the AMO the largest aviation and maritime law enforcement agency.