The US Coast Guard has published stunning video of what's being described as a "high stakes intervention" which netted over 17,000 pounds of cocaine near American coastal waters.

The intercept of a submarine-like drug smuggling vessel took place last month in what's only being described as the East Pacific Ocean. Video of the operation is going viral given one Coast Guard commando actually leaps onto the half submerged vessel as it travels at a high rate of speed, after it refused to stop.

"It's gonna be hard to get on!" — one Coast Guard operative is heard shouting to a partner. The commando then takes a daring leap onto the sub and bangs on the vessel's hatch before the smugglers open it during the daring raid.

In total five drug smugglers were arrested and handed over to the DEA for prosecution in a major bust described as one of a series of reported seizures which in total were worth a half-billion dollars.

Both President Trump and Vice President Pence publicly celebrated and acknowledged the record drug haul. The cocaine was later offloaded at a San Diego port.

WATCH: Dramatic video shows Coast Guard crew member jumping on submarine alleged to be carrying more $569 million worth of drugs https://t.co/6wnUJrsv2W pic.twitter.com/kU8cREAlVi — CBS News (@CBSNews) July 12, 2019

Coast Guard Lt. Commander Stephen Brickey told CNN that semi-submersible vessels used to run drugs into the US have been on the rise, despite vessels like the one shown in the video being expensive and "relatively rare" — given that cartels have to design and construct the high tech vessels deep in the jungle away from the prying eyes of police and overhead surveillance aircraft.

"They blend in," the official said. "Most of the vessel is underwater, so it's hard to pick out. They're painted blue. They match the water."

The subs are further designed with the ability to sink their illicit cargo in a matter of minutes should international authorities make an intercept, which means Coast Guard actions have to be decisive and quick, hence the high risk maneuver shown in the video of a commando jumping on top of the semi-submersible.

"The drugs represent 14 separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions and disruptions off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by three Coast Guard cutters between May and July 2019," the Coast Guard said in a written statement.

Vice President Mike Pence visited Coast Guard members in San Diego on Thursday during the unloading of a total some 39,000 pounds of drugs captured from smugglers in recent months in the Pacific Ocean.