SAN DIEGO — The US Coast Guard has seized more than 1,900 pounds of cocaine estimated to be worth more than $44 million off the Pacific coast of South America.

The Coast Guard announced Thursday that the seizure was made thanks to intelligence from various US federal law enforcement agencies that led to a small vessel with bundles of drugs onboard.

A marksman on a helicopter working with the Coast Guard shot out the boat’s engine — allowing the Coast Guard crew to catch it.

One Ecuadorian and two Colombians were taken into custody on drug smuggling charges.