Coast Guard Makes Record $470M Drug Bust in Caribbean, Pacific Operations

On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard made headlines by offloading an unprecedented amount of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades, with an estimated value of around $470 million. This massive seizure occurred after months of operations conducted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Officials from the Coast Guard announced that the recent seizure of 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana represents the largest narcotics offload in the agency's history.

“To put this into perspective, the potential 23 million lethal doses of cocaine seized … are enough to overdose the entire population of the state of Florida fatally,” Rear Adm. Adam Chamie, Coast Guard Southeast District commander, stated. “This highlights the significant danger that transnational drug trafficking presents to our country.”

The Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, a 418-foot national security vessel, successfully transported a significant amount of contraband to shore following 19 interdictions this summer. The Hamilton crew achieved notable success with 11 drug-smuggling vessel seizures, the detention of 34 suspected traffickers, and the confiscation of 47,000 pounds of cocaine.

“Team Hamilton, alongside our partners, put in tremendous effort … to protect the American public from the threats posed by illegal narcotics entering the United States,” stated Capt. John B. McWhite, the commanding officer of the ship.

Various U.S. and allied agencies collaborated on the initiative, including the U.S. Navy, Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations, and the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Milestone seizures showcased by the Coast Guard include a June 26 interception where authorities seized two speedboats located 115 miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, following the deployment of a helicopter that employed airborne tactics. Teams on board successfully confiscated 8,800 pounds of cocaine.

Another highlight happened on July 23 when a helicopter from Hamilton intercepted a speedboat approximately 88 miles southeast of Socorro Island, Mexico. Authorities also confiscated 9,160 pounds of cocaine.

Lastly, on August 18, a team from the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, part of the U.S. Navy, conducted a boarding operation on a vessel located 130 miles south of Jamaica, uncovering a staggering 6,425 pounds of cocaine. 

Authorities highlighted that a significant 80% of all illicit substances destined for the U.S. are captured at sea. The restrictions are a component of Operation Pacific Viper, an ongoing international initiative aimed at hindering cocaine trafficking from South America before its arrival on American coasts.

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