U.S. Coast Guard offloads over $14M in illegal narcotics

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Three suspected smugglers are in hot water after a U.S. Coast Guard crew interdicted over 1,115 pounds of cocaine in San Juan on Thursday.

A Coast Guard team working with international partners aboard the Royal British Navy ship HMS Trent stopped the suspected smugglers and offloaded the illegal drugs, which had an approximate street value of $14.7 million.

“Another success within 24 hours of Trent’s return to counter-trafficking operations continues to demonstrate the utility of this class of ship to support such activity. It relies on the involvement of every member of my team, and they can be proud of another significant haul,” said Commander Tim Langford, commanding officer of HMS Trent. “These interdictions are also reliant on the close working relationship that exists between the U.S. Coast Guard and my team, supported from ashore by the Joint Interagency Task Force-South.”

The suspected smugglers will face prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard announced.

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