WASHINGTON – Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center, P-3 Long Range Tracker and Airborne Early Warning crews collaborated with Joint Interagency Task Force-South partners to disrupt 1,086 tons of cocaine in narcotics source and transit zones since fiscal year 2008 through March 2021, denying transnational criminal organizations an estimated $41,064,422,502 in illicit proceeds.
Between October 1, 2008 and March 31, 2021, AMO P-3 aircrews reinforced the counternarcotic mission by flying 74,436 hours. For every hour flown by an AMO P-3 crew, international and federal law enforcement partners have seized an average of 29 pounds of cocaine, keeping dangerous drugs off the streets.
Operations (AMO) operates the P-3 Long Range Tracker
and Airborne Early Warning aircraft which perform a
wide variety of operational missions, especially those
that require long station time overhead, hemispheric
range, and missions throughout all weather and
environmental conditions
Public health and law enforcement estimates for avoided criminal outcomes indicate that 10,860 cocaine-related deaths in the United States may have been prevented as a result of the disruption of 1,086 tons of cocaine since FY 2008. Additionally, it is approximated that the denial of 2.2 million pounds of cocaine from entering communities averted creation of 543,000 new cocaine users during the 12.5 year timeframe.
Several notable media releases detailing NASOC P-3 aircrew contributions to the counterdrug effort include:
- Air and Marine Operations P-3 Crews and Partners Seize Almost 6 Tons of Narcotics in 8 Days
- Air and Marine Operations P-3 Crews and Partners Seize 24 Tons of Narcotics in 2nd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021
- Air and Marine Operations and Partners Seize 12 Tons of Cocaine in the Eastern Pacific
National Air Security Operations Center P-3 capabilities continue to prove essential to United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Counter Narcotics Operations, coordinated by Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S), contributing to an increased law enforcement presence in narcotics transit zones. This partnership bolsters the effectiveness of U.S. and international law enforcement by sharing information and intelligence to increase interdictions. Key SOUTHCOM partners have been involved in over 60 percent of drug disruptions since April 2020.
AMO has two P-3 National Air Security Operations Centers located in Jacksonville, FL and Corpus Christi, TX. These P-3 aircraft operate throughout North, Central and South America in defense of the borders of the United States and to prevent attempts to smuggle persons or contraband.
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. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO serves as the nation’s experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement.
In Fiscal Year 2020, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the seizure or disruption of 194,220 pounds of cocaine, 278,492 pounds of marijuana, 15,985 pounds of methamphetamine, 952 weapons and $51.5 million as well as 1,066 arrests and 47,872 apprehensions of undocumented migrants.