MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Station in Miami Beach and border control seized nearly two tons of cocaine two miles off the coast of South Florida.
According to the USCG, multiple Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) boats provided assistance to interdict the boat carrying $28 million.
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Coast Guard Station Miami Beach commanding officer Lt. Matthew Ross commented on the historic cocaine seizure:
This was the largest USCG Small boat station cocaine seizure since 1995. Protecting our maritime borders from illicit drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations remains one of our highest priorities. The Coast Guard and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners remain vigilant in our shared efforts to keep our maritime borders safe by preventing illicit narcotics from reaching our communities.
CBP also brought a K9 aboard, which alerted and uncovered over 1,000 bricks of cocaine, adding up to a combined weight of 3,700 pounds, according to USCG’s news release. All three suspects were taken into custody by federal agents.
“Disrupting maritime narcotics smuggling like this demonstrates the power of teamwork in safeguarding our nation and holding criminals accountable,” said Executive Director Andy Blanco, CBP Air and Marine Operations Southeast Region. “Smugglers should be warned that our whole-of-government team is watching, and they will be caught.”
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