MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded more than 185 pounds of marijuana on Tuesday at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, following an operation that intercepted the floating contraband in international waters south of Haiti.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast, the narcotics — valued at approximately $221,000 — were first spotted by the crew of USCGC Stone during a routine patrol in the Caribbean. The balestyle packages were discovered adrift in open water, prompting recovery operations by Coast Guard teams.
Although the drugs were not tied to an immediate vessel or suspect, Coast Guard leaders emphasized that removing the narcotics from the maritime environment prevents criminal networks from rerouting the packages into the United States or neighboring nations.
“The Coast Guard remains ready to secure our maritime approaches and deter transnational criminal organizations that threaten regional stability,” the service said in a statement. “Through persistent presence and close coordination with interagency and international partners, we work to detect and interdict illicit contraband at sea, stopping it before it can reach our shores and impact our communities.”
MARCH 10, 2026 – U.S. Coast Guard crews off the coast of Haiti recovered and offloaded 185 pounds of floating marijuana at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach after spotting the illicit cargo during a routine patrol, preventing the drugs from reaching the United States and disrupting regional criminal trafficking networks. (USCG)
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The marijuana offload marks the latest in a series of ongoing counter-drug efforts throughout the Caribbean and Florida Straits.