US Coast Guard seizes over US$138m in Caribbean Sea drug busts
MIAMI, United States (CMC) — The United States (US) Coast Guard said on Friday it intercepted more than US$138 million worth of illicit drugs during multiple operations in the Caribbean Sea.
The crew of the cutter Valiant offloaded 17,450 pounds of cocaine and 2,585 pounds of marijuana — valued at US$132 million — at Port Everglades, Florida. A day earlier, the cutter Vigorous delivered approximately 840 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated US$6.2 million, to its Miami Beach base.
According to the US Coast Guard, the seizures resulted from six interdictions in the Caribbean Sea carried out by the agency and its interagency and international partners.
“I am incredibly proud of our Valiant team and how they exemplify American values. 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,” said Commander Matthew Press, commanding officer of the Valiant.
“Collaborating with the United States Navy, Royal Canadian, and Royal Netherlands Navies, our multinational team disrupted transnational criminal organisations, making the world a safer place,” he added.
