Record Cocaine And Marijuana Seizure Offloaded At Port Everglades

Cocaine warehouse

Photo: mofles / iStock / Getty Images

Fort Lauderdale, FL - The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded more than 38 tons of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades on Monday, marking the largest cocaine seizure in the agency’s history.

The drugs were intercepted during 19 operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea before reaching U.S. shores.

The haul included 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $473 million.

The narcotics were transported to port aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton.

Coast Guard Rear Admiral Adam Chamie, commander of the Southeast District, said the seizure represents roughly 23 million potentially lethal doses of cocaine, enough to fatally overdose the entire population of Florida.

Chamie praised the Hamilton crew for their efforts over a two-month deployment, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced during interdictions.

The operations involved coordination with multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, as well as international assistance from the Royal Netherlands Navy aboard HNLMS Friesland.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Chase Sargeant, deputy director of the Joint Interagency Task Force-South, noted that maritime interdictions are critical in preventing drugs from entering U.S. communities.

Officials said these operations remain the most effective method for stopping large-scale drug shipments.

This record offload follows several major Coast Guard seizures earlier this year, including 28,500 pounds of cocaine at Port Everglades in May and multiple interdictions off the coast of Mexico.

Officials emphasize that continued maritime operations are vital to keeping illegal narcotics from reaching American streets.


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