US Coast Guard Makes Record-Breaking Drug Haul, Seizing Over 70,000 Pounds of Cocaine and Marijuana
The US Coast Guard has made its largest-ever drug seizure, offloading over 70,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana in Florida. The haul, worth an estimated $473 million, was collected during 19 missions on international waters around Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico between June 26 and August 18.
The drugs, which included 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana, were offloaded at Port Everglades, Florida, on Monday. The previous record for the Coast Guard’s largest drug seizure was set in 2021, when it intercepted 61,130 pounds of drugs worth $1.4 billion.
The Coast Guard’s operation, dubbed Operation Pacific Viper, also resulted in the interception of 11 go-fast vessels transporting the drugs and the detention of 34 alleged drug traffickers. The drugs seized are enough to supply 23 million potential lethal doses to buyers in the US, according to officials.
“This represents a significant victory in the fight against transnational criminal organizations, highlighting our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation from illicit trafficking and its devastating impacts,” said Rear Admiral Adam Chamie, commander of the Coast Guard’s southeast district.
The Coast Guard’s efforts have been instrumental in disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the US, and this latest haul is a major blow to drug traffickers. The agency’s dedication to combating drug trafficking is crucial in keeping the nation’s communities safe.
