(RepublicanView.org) – U.S. Coast Guard officials seized more than 2000 lbs. of cocaine during two separate investigations on January 9.
The combined total of the volume is believed to be worth about $32 million. Both seizures occurred in the Caribbean Sea. The operation was carried out by the crew of the Margaret Norvell vessel, and all six drug traffickers involved have been apprehended and will face charges in the United States by the Justice Department. No further details about their identities, origins, or charges have been released.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Colin Weaver praised the servicemembers who executed the bust. He stressed the important role they play in protecting homeland security and highlighted the threats they fight against.
The vessels USCG Cutter Dauntless and USCG Cutter Richard Nixon were also credited with joining the Joint interagency Task Force South in assisting with the seizure. The task force is known for its high-profile missions and busts. The Coast Guard has previously discussed the importance of various agencies working together to fight against drug smuggling.
They unloaded the narcotics in Miami the same day. Both discoveries were made in international waters.
The Coast Guard previously made a historic drug bust involving 24,700 lbs of cocaine and nearly 4,000 lbs of marijuana. The total street value was estimated to be nearly half a billion dollars. That seizure came in September 2022 in the Caribbean sea.
That bust was handled by the crew of the USCG Cutter Legare, a 270-foot ship stationed in Portsmouth. It was designed for various enforcement and rescue missions and has been used for several missions in different regions.
Then came another massive drug bust last year that resulted in the seizure of $158 million of drugs. That seizure also included marijuana and cocaine. The narcotics were recovered just off the coast of San Diego.
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