The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded more than $20 million worth of illicit drugs in Miami Beach on Wednesday, following multiple maritime interdictions in the Caribbean Sea. The haul, totaling approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana, was intercepted during four separate operations coordinated by U.S. and allied forces.
The interdictions were conducted by the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS William Hall, the Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS Friesland, and the U.S. Navy’s USS Cole, each carrying Coast Guard law enforcement detachments. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland transported the contraband to shore.
“Stopping harmful and illicit narcotics from reaching our shores and entering our communities is a team effort,” said Cmdr. Brian Gismervik, commanding officer of USCGC Northland. He credited coordination between the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and international partners.
The joint effort was supported by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Tactical Law Enforcement Teams, Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville, the Seventh Coast Guard District, and Joint Interagency Task Force–South, which handled detection and monitoring. The drugs were seized under Coast Guard authority during law enforcement phases of the operations.
