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The U.S. Coast Guard seized over $141 million in drugs in the Caribbean in February, according to reports.
The interdictions totaled more than 12,000 pounds. That’s the weight of about five adult elephants. The drugs were seized in six different encounters with smugglers in the Caribbean Sea. A total of 17 suspected smugglers were arrested and then transferred ashore to face federal prosecution in the United States.
Seventh Coast Guard District enforcement officer, Jesus Martinez Borges said of the arrests, “These seizures are a testament to the Coast Guard’s continued dedication to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders. The Coast Guard and our partners work tirelessly to deny drug trafficking organizations access to smuggling routes bound for the United States. Our efforts contribute to federal investigations and prosecutions that further seek to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal activity abroad, which threaten Americans here at home.”
The biggest bust that happened was on February 2nd. A suspicious vessel was spotted by a Dutch Coast Guard aircrew off the Venezuelan coast. The Netherlands Royal Navy ship HNLMS Groningen, which was working with the U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement, stopped the vessel and found about 6,220 pounds of cocaine. They then arrested the five smugglers.
That same day, a U.S. Coast Guard aircrew from Miami detected another vessel that was speeding near the U.S. Virgin Islands, and they found 2,200 pounds of cocaine on it, along with three more suspects.
On February 14, a Dutch aircrew located yet another vessel by Venezuela, which had jettisoned contraband before fleeing. They recovered 571 pounds of cocaine. On February 17, another 1,280 pounds were found near the Dominican Republic, as well as five smugglers who were arrested.
The rash of arrests in recent weeks attests to the ongoing crisis of drug addiction in the US. If you or someone you love struggles with substance use disorder, help is available. Rehabs.org provides resources to help you learn about recovery and find the treatment center that’s right for you.
