Coast Guard unloads record $ 1.4 billion in narcotics at Port Everglades

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The U.S. Coast Guard unloaded the largest amount of illegal narcotics in its history – worth more than $ 1.4 billion – at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, officials announced last week.

The agency said Thursday that the crew of the Cutter James unloaded about 59,700 pounds (27,079 kilograms) of cocaine and about 1,430 pounds (548 kilograms) of marijuana.

Coast Guard officials said it was the largest unloading in the ship’s history. Several units of the Coast Guard, as well as US Customs and Border Patrol and Canadian partners, have contributed to the effort, the agency said.

The amount is double what was found in their fall 2020 patrol, saidCaptain Todd Vance, Commanding Officer of Cutter James,during a press conference.

The ships suspected of drug trafficking were stopped by 10 American, Dutch and Canadian ships, the coast guard said. Images of the drugs show each narcotic wrapped in bullets off the coast.

“Today’s unloading is the result of our combined efforts of our inter-agency partners and a dedicated international coalition,” said Vice-Admiral Steven Poulin, Atlantic Zone Commander.

Poulin told the press conference that the next steps are to turn the drugs over to their interagency team and then work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold the drug traffickers accountable.

The largest offloading in Coast Guard history in Fort Lauderdale lasted three months,the The Southeastern US Coast Guard said on Twitter. The Coast Guard attributes the historic hold to its key partnerships, as well as the many U.S. agencies that are contributing to their efforts, they said in the statement.

“Every bullet of cocaine on that flight deck that does not reach our shores represents lives saved in New York, Philly, Chicago, Los Angeles or any small town in the United States facing pandemic levels of drug overdoses. drugs this year. “said Vance.

Contribution: The Associated Press


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