The U.S. Coast Guard has seized more than five tons of narcotics, including 8,700 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $64.5 million, during two major interdictions in the Caribbean Sea.
The seizures were carried out in August and September by the crew of the 210-foot Coast Guard Cutter Diligence, whose missions include counter-drug operations, search and rescue, and enforcement of federal laws.
On August 7, the cutter intercepted a suspicious vessel about 136 miles southwest of Negril, Jamaica, seizing 1,500 pounds of marijuana. The contraband was later offloaded in Port Everglades, Florida, as part of the largest drug offload in Coast Guard history.
Nearly a month later, on September 6, a maritime patrol aircraft spotted another fast-moving vessel about 240 miles north of Panama. Diligence’s boarding team interdicted the vessel, confiscating over four tons of cocaine. The drugs were later offloaded in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“This joint effort helped us prevent more than four tons of illegal drugs from entering the United States,” said Cmdr. Colin McKee, commanding officer of Diligence. “While this offload marks another milestone in our efforts to counter narco-terrorism, the Coast Guard remains relentless in defending U.S. borders and maritime approaches.”
Coast Guard officials said the operations are part of an expanded effort to disrupt narcotics smuggling routes, emphasizing that 80% of U.S.-bound drugs are interdicted on the high seas. They warned that profits from these shipments often fund foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.
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