US Coast Guard seize cocaine worth US$20m in Caribbean

MIAMI (CMC) – The United States Coast Guard says it continues to make a dent in the illegal drug trade, seizing an estimated US$20 million worth of cocaine during operations at sea in the Caribbean.

It said 1,327 pounds of cocaine was offloaded at the Coast Guard base over the weekend as part of the interdiction exercise, Operation Unified Resolve.

The Coast Guard said at least two suspected smugglers have been taken into custody.

“This seizure highlights the hard work and dedication of our crews in stopping the illegal flow of drugs in the Caribbean and reducing the destabilizing effects that drugs have on society,” said Commander Anthony Williams, commanding officer of the Spencer.

Last year, the Coast Guard said it removed US$22 million in marijuana and US$1.8 billion in cocaine throughout the Caribbean and that Operation Unified Resolve “contributes to the interagency results being achieved each and every day locally under Operation Caribbean Guard”.