THE TENSION: Photo Essay: US Navy, Coast Guard Seize Semi-Submersible Boat, 7 Tons of Cocaine

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, some of the 37 bales of cocaine are seen in one of the compartments of a self-propelled, semi-submersible craft that was seized by the Coast Guard Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, during an at sea interdiction about 350 miles west of Guatemala. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, members of Coast Guard law enforcement detachment 404 survey the deck of the self-propelled, semi-submersible craft they seized on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. The LEDET, embarked aboard the USS McInerney (seen to the left of the SPSS), seized seven tons of cocaine from the vessel. The estimated street value of the cocaine is more than $187 million. The seized vessel has the capability to travel from Ecuador to San Diego, Calif., without having to stop for replenishment. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the scuttling valve of a self-propelled, semi-submersible craft seized Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 is shown. The SPSS was interdicted by Coast Guard law enforcement detachment 404 about 350 miles west of Guatemala, with seven tons of cocaine aboard, with an estimated street value of more than $187 million. LEDET 404 was embarked aboard the USS McInerney in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Scuttling valves are used by narco-traffickers to rapidly sink the SPSS upon detection by law enforcement, to send evidence of drug smuggling to the bottom of the ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the interior of an self-propelled, semi-submersible interdicted at sea Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, is shown. Visible in the photo is the compartment that contained some of the seven tons of cocaine found aboard the drug-smuggling vessel. The estimated street value of the seizure is more than $187 million. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, a member of Coast Guard law enforcement detachment 404 prepares some of the 37 bales of cocaine seized from a self-propelled, semi-submersible craft for transfer to the USS McInerney, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. The seized cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $187 million. The Coast Guard LEDET was embarked aboard the USS McInerney and a Navy marine patrol aircraft spotted the SPSS and vectored the McInerney to the location of the smuggling vessel. Two small boats from the McInerney were launched with the LEDET aboard to conduct the boarding. Four suspected smugglers are in custody. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the helm of a self-propelled, semi-submersible craft seized by the Coast Guard Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, is seen. The 59-foot craft carried seven tons of cocaine worth an estimated $187 million. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the growing sophistication of self-propelled, semi-submersible craft is evident in an SPSS seized Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, with the presence aboard of a sophisticated radio. The craft was seized by Coast Guard law enforcement detachment 404 during a joint operation with the USS McInerney in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The SPSS was carrying seven tons of cocaine worth an estimated $187 million. In addition to the communications ability, the vessel can also travel from Ecuador to San Diego, Calif., without having to stop for replenishment. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nico Figueroa.)

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 14, 2008) The guided-missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG 8) tows a self-propelled, semi-submersible craft seized Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 by Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404. The Coast Guard law enforcement officers, embarked aboard the McInerney, seized seven tons of cocaine during a night raid about 350 miles west of Guatemala. The seized vessel has the capability to travel from Ecuador to San Diego, Calif. McInerney, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is deployed in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Justin Cooper.)

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 14, 2008) The guided-missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG 8) tows a self-propelled, semi-submersible craft seized Saturday, Sept. 13 by Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404. The Coast Guard law enforcement officers, embarked aboard the McInerney, seized seven tons of cocaine during a night raid about 350 miles west of Guatemala. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Justin Cooper.)

Updated with additional imagery: Sept. 16, 2008.

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