US Coast Guard Seizes $226.7mln in Drugs in Eastern Pacific

The US Coast Guard has seized nearly 33,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated 226.7 million US dollars following six interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The drugs were offloaded on Wednesday at Port Everglades, Florida, by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa, which recovered approximately 29,600 pounds of cocaine and 3,355 pounds of marijuana.

The operations involved the Tampa, a Coast Guard tactical law enforcement team, a helicopter interdiction squadron, Joint Interagency Task Force South, the Coast Guard Southwest District and the USS Gridley.

Capt. Joshua DiPietro, commanding officer of the Tampa, said the crew had prevented about 32,000 pounds of illicit drugs from reaching the United States, crediting teamwork and maritime skills for the successful interdictions.

The seizures form part of the Coast Guard’s efforts to intercept cocaine and other illegal drugs transported by sea and disrupt the operations of transnational criminal organisations.

Vice Adm. Jo-Ann Burdian, commander of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, said the service was working with partners across the Western Hemisphere to weaken criminal networks and protect American communities.

The Coast Guard conducts counter-drug operations alongside local, state, federal and international partners, covering activities from detecting and tracking suspected trafficking to maritime interdiction and criminal prosecution.

Source: FSX Business News