Coast Guard Seizes Over a Ton of Marijuana Valued at $2.4 Million in High-Seas Interception
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a suspicious go-fast vessel during a patrol and recovered over a ton of suspected marijuana valued at $2.4 million. The crew found 47 bales weighing a total of 2,082 pounds along the vessel's route. Four individuals were detained in connection with the operation.
The seizure occurred when the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba detected the suspicious vessel and launched a boat crew to investigate. The vessel stopped without incident, and further operations led to the discovery of a "bale field" containing the suspected marijuana.
Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) praised the vigilance, professionalism, and coordination involved in the mission. The Coast Guard's efforts were supported by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Haiti during the operation.
The drug seizure is part of the Trump administration's campaign against narcotics trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) commended the operation as a demonstration of the country's commitment to halting the flow of dangerous drugs.
SOUTHCOM recently conducted operations in the Eastern Pacific targeting vessels linked to the violent narco-terrorist organization Los Choneros. The U.S. military has been actively dismantling cartel-linked trafficking networks through strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean.
In a separate incident last month, the Coast Guard seized over 7,000 pounds of cocaine worth $54.5 million off the coast of Puerto Rico. Five individuals aboard the smuggling vessel were detained in connection with that operation.
The Coast Guard's efforts in intercepting drug smuggling operations demonstrate the ongoing commitment to combating narcotics trafficking in the region.