MIAMI, United States (CMC) — The United States (US) Coast Guard says the crew of its Cutter Northland on Wednesday offloaded approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated US$20.1 million at Miami Beach.

The US Coast Guard said the seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of HMCS William Hall and HNLMS Friesland with embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachments.

“Stopping harmful and illicit narcotics from reaching our shores and entering our communities is a team effort,” said Commander Brian Gismervik, Coast Guard Cutter Northland’s commanding officer.

“In the dynamic maritime environment, it takes the combined efforts of our joint force DoD (Department of Defence), DHS (Department of Homeland Security), and international partners to combat transnational criminal organisations,” he added.

The US Coast Guard said detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination.

It said Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Key West, Florida, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs.

“Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the US Coast Guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases,” the statement said.

“Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the US Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami,” it added.