US Coast Guard Seizes Record $362M Cocaine Haul at Sea

Historic Cocaine Seizure

• 🎯 The U.S. Coast Guard has offloaded nearly 50,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $362 million, at Port Everglades.
• 🚢 This massive seizure was made by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Stone during a three-month deployment in the Pacific waters near Colombia and Ecuador.
• 🏆 Officials are calling this a historic announcement, marking the largest cocaine seizure by a single cutter in one operational deployment by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Operation Details and Challenges

• 🔍 The Coast Guard performed 13 different busts at sea to confiscate the drugs, with many operations occurring at night.
• ⚠️ The commander emphasized the strategic, dangerous, and challenging nature of these interdictions, requiring quick planning and coordination.
• 🤝 None of the Coast Guard members were harmed during these operations, and traffickers apprehended were returned to their home countries.

Impact and Future Efforts

• 🔬 DEA agents are now handling the confiscated cocaine for eventual destruction and study.
• 🇺🇸 The seizure is considered a significant victory, preventing millions of potential lethal doses from reaching U.S. residents.
• 🗣️ U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was present to acknowledge the crew's efforts, noting that current efforts are not focused on Venezuela.