Florida Coast Guard offloads $54 million of cocaine, 11 smuggling suspects

The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday announced the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence offloaded more than 4,125 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $54 million in Port Everglades following three separate interdictions in the Caribbean.

Multiple Coast Guard assets, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the Joint Interagency Task Force South, and the Royal Navy seized the drugs in international waters and apprehended 11 suspected smugglers who will face prosecution in U.S. federal courts.

“I am extremely proud of our crew’s tenacity and professionalism, coupled with outstanding coordination with Coast Guard aircrews, during this complex counter-drug mission,” Lt. Matthew Carmine, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer, said in a statement. “Their steadfast efforts, along with those of foreign allies and partner agencies, continue to prove vital to countering drug trafficking organizations and safeguarding the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

The Joint Interagency Task Force South, based in Key West, Fla., monitors the region and detects aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs.

Once they spot a suspected smuggler and an interdiction is required, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins under the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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