US Coast Guard seize over US$200M in narcotics in Caribbean Sea
The US Coast Guard offloaded more than US $243 million in illegal narcotics in Miami and seized over 45 days in the Caribbean Sea.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless seized approximately 8,500 pounds of cocaine. It apprehended 13 suspected drug smugglers of the Dominican Republic and Colombian nationalities following the 45-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea.
The Dauntless’ crew worked alongside multiple US Coast Guard assets and international assets, including the HNLMS FRIESLAND of the Royal Netherlands Navy, to prevent illegal drug smuggling ventures.
“The Coast Guard's strong international partnerships counter threats in the maritime domain, protect each of our countries from transnational organised crime, and work to stabilise and promote good governance in the region,” said Lt Paul Puddington, a District Seven duty enforcement officer.
“We are thankful for coordinated efforts across the US Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, and our international partners from the Netherlands and throughout Central and South America.”
The fight against drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea requires unity of effort in all phases, from detection, monitoring and interdictions to criminal prosecutions by international partners and US Attorneys’ Offices in districts across the nation.
During at-sea interdictions, a suspect vessel is initially detected and monitored by allied, military or law enforcement personnel coordinated by Joint Interagency Task Force-South based in Key West, Florida.
The law enforcement phase of operations in the Caribbean Sea is conducted under the authority of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami.
The interdictions, including the actual boardings, are led and conducted by members of the US Coast Guard.
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