The U.S. Coast Guard reached a historic milestone on Monday by offloading more than 76,000 pounds of illicit drugs at Port Everglades, Florida, with an estimated street value of $473 million.
The haul included roughly 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana, marking the largest drug offload in Coast Guard history.
The massive seizure was the result of 19 coordinated operations across the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea between late June and mid-August.
Multiple Coast Guard cutters, aviation units and international partners collaborated with federal and Department of Defense agencies to disrupt transnational drug trafficking networks.
Rear Adm. Adam Chamie, commander of the Coast Guard Southeast District, highlighted the significance of the operation.
“To put this into perspective, the potential 23 million lethal doses of cocaine seized by the U.S. Coast Guard and our partners, are enough to fatally overdose the entire population of the state of Florida, underscoring the immense threat posed by transnational drug trafficking to our nation,” he said.
Chamie described the interdictions as a “significant victory in the fight against transnational criminal organizations.”
The interdictions began when maritime patrol aircraft spotted suspicious “go-fast” vessels near Ecuador, according to the agency’s press release.
Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) aircrews from the Cutter Hamilton and their boarding teams intercepted the vessels, seizing thousands of pounds of cocaine.
Similar operations later targeted vessels near Venezuela, Mexico, Jamaica, Curacao and other locations, with each seizure ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds.
Hamilton’s crew also detained 34 individuals suspected of drug trafficking.
Capt. John B. McWhite, the ship’s commanding officer, praised the teamwork that made the operation possible, emphasizing the combined efforts of U.S. and international personnel to safeguard Americans from illicit narcotics.
“The commitment and sacrifice of our deployed service members and their families, who forego time together for the protection of our Nation, are to be celebrated,” he said.
Their dedication was evident throughout the operation, as additional Coast Guard cutters, including the Vigilant and Diligence, supported the mission alongside international partners such as USS Cole, USS Minneapolis Saint-Paul and the Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Friesland.
Aircrews from U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in spotting and tracking vessels throughout the operations.
The seizures represent a significant financial blow to criminal organizations, denying them over half a billion dollars in potential revenue.
The interdictions also provided valuable evidence for broader investigations, including Panama Express Strike Force operations under the umbrella of Operation Take Back America.
High-seas drug interceptions remain a critical tool in curbing the flow of cocaine, marijuana and fentanyl into the United States.
The Coast Guard plans to continue and expand these counter-drug efforts to disrupt transshipment networks before narcotics reach U.S. streets.
Hamilton, one of four Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, plays a central role in these multi-agency missions, providing air, sea and boarding capabilities to enforce maritime law.
These operations remain vital in safeguarding communities and reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the country.
The combined efforts of cutters, aircrews, and international partners underscore the growing importance of maritime security in combating narcotics entering the United States.
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Author: Gloriel Howard
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