The U.S. Coast Guard seized approximately 860 pounds of cocaine this week, valued at $13.65 million.
The information shared by the government agency on X states that the interdiction occurred on May 25, when the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely and a Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) from the U.S. Coast Guard seized an estimated 860 pounds of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Caribbean Sea.
The seizure was carried out by the Visit, Approach, Search, and Seizure team of the Gravely with a LEDET from the Coast Guard. The group boarded a vessel of interest and recovered 19 bales of cocaine with an estimated value of 13.65 million dollars.
This operation adds to others conducted last week in various maritime areas. The crew of the cutter Thetis offloaded more than 28,500 pounds of cocaine this Thursday in Port Everglades, with an estimated value of 211 million dollars.
The seized smuggling was the result of four interdictions in the Eastern Pacific.
Previously, a maritime patrol aircraft had located two suspicious vessels about 170 miles west of Mexico and had seized 9,993 pounds of cocaine.
In April, the United States seized drugs valued at an estimated nearly 510 million dollars in an operation against the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This seizure included around 21 tons of cocaine and marijuana, marking one of the largest blows to drug trafficking in the country's recent history.
The operation was led by the United States Coast Guard with support from federal agencies such as the FBI. They used military vessels, patrol aircraft, and drones to monitor and detect the movement of suspicious boats, successfully intercepting the drug shipment on one of the most commonly used routes by traffickers.
The Donald Trump administration has emphasized the fight against drug trafficking as an essential part of its national security and border control policy.
This includes increased funding for security forces, judicial reforms, and diplomatic pressure on countries deemed to be transit or production points for narcotics.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drug Seizures in the Caribbean
How much is the cocaine seized by the Coast Guard in the Caribbean worth?
The seized cocaine has an estimated value of $13.65 million. The operation was carried out by the USS Gravely and a Law Enforcement Detachment of the U.S. Coast Guard, who intercepted a vessel in the Caribbean Sea and recovered 19 bales of cocaine.
What other drug seizures has the Coast Guard made recently?
In addition to the recent seizure in the Caribbean, the Coast Guard offloaded more than 28,500 pounds of cocaine at Port Everglades, valued at $211 million, as a result of operations in the Eastern Pacific. Also, in April, the U.S. seized nearly $510 million in drugs from Mexican cartels, including 21 tons of cocaine and marijuana.
What role does the USS Gravely play in the fight against drug trafficking?
The USS Gravely is a guided missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class, used for maritime security operations and combating drug trafficking. It is equipped with advanced weapon systems and collaborates with the U.S. Coast Guard in intercepting drug shipments in the Caribbean Sea and other regions.
How does the U.S. cooperate internationally in anti-drug operations in the Caribbean?
The U.S. collaborates with several nations and international organizations in its anti-drug operations. Recent examples include cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These alliances strengthen the ability to detect and intercept suspicious vessels along drug trafficking routes.
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