A new law enforcement task force charged with thwarting smugglers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has confiscated 140 pounds of cocaine, 50 weapons and $25 million worth of counterfeit goods in just five weeks.

The multiagency Border Enforcement Security Task Force, or BEST, quietly started inspecting suspicious ships and busting illegal weapons and drug traffickers at the twin port complex in October, but finally made its public debut on Thursday.

The group’s goal, according to authorities, is to seize contraband before it hits the streets.

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