In a dramatic high-seas confrontation, the USS Samson, a U.S. Navy destroyer, successfully intercepted and disabled a $58 million drug boat off the coast of Mexico on July 10, 2025, marking a significant blow to cartel operations in the Eastern Pacific. At 0637 hours, the ship’s radar detected a fast-moving vessel 380 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, identified as a “go-fast” boat notorious for smuggling drugs.

As the vessel accelerated and began jettisoning cargo—evidence of its illicit activities—the USS Samson sprang into action. Commander Matthew Harding ordered an MH60R Seahawk helicopter, call sign Reaper 1, to launch and pursue the fleeing boat. Within moments, the helicopter was on the scene, issuing warning shots that went unheeded as the suspects attempted to escape.

With no option left, the destroyer’s crew authorized disabling fire. The Seahawk’s gunner struck the boat’s engines, bringing it to a halt and leaving the suspects with no means of escape. As the crew of the USS Samson secured the area, two suspects were apprehended without resistance, kneeling on the deck as their cargo—47 bales of cocaine—floated ominously in the water.

Under international maritime law, the stateless vessel was deemed a navigational hazard, allowing U.S. authorities to assume control. The cocaine was confirmed, and the suspects were processed under U.S. maritime drug enforcement protocols. In a decisive move to eliminate the threat, the USS Samson scuttled the drug boat, sending a clear message to smugglers: the U.S. Navy is not just a coastal guardian; it operates deep in the Pacific, ready to intercept and dismantle drug trafficking networks.

This operation underscores the Navy’s adaptability and commitment to maritime security, as it transitions seamlessly from combat readiness to law enforcement. The Eastern Pacific is heating up, and this successful interception sends shockwaves through cartel logistics, proving no route is safe from U.S. intervention.