Coast Guard offloads $138 million in drugs from Caribbean
MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — Two Coast Guard crews. Six suspicious vessels. 18,290 pounds of cocaine and 2,585 lbs. of marijuana. $138 million in illegal drugs removed from the Caribbean.
In May alone, the U.S. Coast Guard, assisted by other national and international teams, seized and removed over $138 million of cocaine and marijuana from six boats in the Caribbean Sea.
The crews aboard two Coast Guard ships, Valiant and Vigorous, offloaded the drugs at Port Everglades and Coast Guard Base Miami Beach last week.
'I am incredibly proud of our Valiant team and how they exemplify American values,' Commander Matthew Press said. 'They sacrifice time away from their families and when necessary, put themselves in harm's way to secure our borders and protect the American people.'
More details about the six interceptions that led to the drug seizures.
May 19: Suspicious vessel located 85 miles north of Aruba, 2,645 pounds of cocaine seized.
May 22: Suspicious vessel located 170 miles north of Aruba, 7,750 pounds of cocaine seized.
May 25: Suspicious vessel located 290 miles south of the Dominican Republic, 840 pounds of cocaine seized with the assistance of the USS Gravely.
May 29: Suspicous vessel located 140 miles south of the Dominican Republic, 750 pounds of cocaine seized with the assistance of His Majesty's Canadian Ship William Hall.
May 29: Suspicous vessel located 15 miles north of Venezuela, 4,050 pounds of cocaine and 2,585 pounds of marijuana seized with the assistance of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
May 31: Suspicious vessel located 185 north of Colombia, 2,250 pounds of cocaine seized with the assistance of HMCS William Hall.
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