![Over $96M in illegal drugs offloaded in Florida by Coast Guard](/static9/world/2024/07/23/over-96m-in-illegal-drugs-offloaded-in-florida-by-coast-guard.webp)
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — More than three tons of cocaine was offloaded at Port Everglades by a U.S. Coast Guard crew on Monday, the Coast Guard announced.
The Coast Guard said crews, along with interagency and international partners, interdicted the illegal drugs in the Caribbean Sea during three separate cases.
More than 7,302 pounds, with a street valuer of approximately $96 million, were offloaded.
“This was another vital success of our combined drug interdiction efforts," said Lt. Cmdr. Juan Ramirez, a Coast Guard District Seven staff attorney. "These drug offloads underscore our continued partnerships with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy in combating the flow of illicit narcotics across the Caribbean. The success of our joint efforts to save lives by reducing the availability of these harmful drugs is dependent on our cooperation with regional and international partners.”
The following crews and agencies participated in the interdictions, according to the U.S. Coast Guard:
- Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Groningen (P 843)
- USS St. Louis (LCS-19)
- U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific (PAC-TACLET) Law Enforcement Detachments 110 and 105
- U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON)
- Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP-AMO)
The Coast Guard said three suspected smugglers will face prosecution by the Department of Justice.