The Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell’s crew seized over 2,450 pounds of cocaine, worth about $32.2 million, in Miami, according to the U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday.
These drugs were taken in two separate operations in the Caribbean Sea’s international waters, leading to the arrest of 6 smugglers. The Department of Justice will prosecute them in federal courts.
“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Coast Guard crews and agency partners involved with this interdiction, Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell brought these suspected smugglers and illicit contraband ashore for prosecution,” Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Colin Weaver stated. “Coast Guard crews continue to deliver on our important missions of homeland and maritime security to save lives and thwart transnational criminal organizations operating in the Caribbean.”
The U.S. Coast Guard mentioned that they look into these actions through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. The OCDETF works to find, stop, and break apart the most serious criminal groups that pose a threat to the country.
According to the USCG, “detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination.” Several crews from the USCG Cutter Richard Dixon, the USCG Cutter Dauntless, and the Joint Interagency Task Force South were involved in the seizure.
The US Coast Guard explained that in Key West, Florida, the Joint Interagency Task Force South finds and keeps an eye on the movement of illegal drugs by air and sea.
“Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension,” USCG stated.
The US Coast Guard, led by the Seventh District based in Miami, carries out operations to stop and inspect activities in the Caribbean Sea.
