The United States Coast Guard announced that it had offloaded a considerable amount of confiscated cocaine in San Diego, California, worth an estimated $468 million.
The nearly 34,000 pounds of illicit drugs were seized while crossing eight different vessels suspected of smuggling drugs off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America by the Coast Guard Cutter Munro in February and March.
Coast Guard Cutter Monro Captain Rula Deisher said the cocaine seizure is a testament to the “dedication and determination” of his crew.
“The team put in an incredible amount of work over many hours and I couldn't be more proud of them,” Deishe said in a news release. “His dedication and courage demonstrate that Munro is one of the best homeland security cutters in the fleet, and we are committed to keeping the country safe by stopping illegal drugs before they hit the streets.”
2 RESCUED AS 80-FOOT YACHT SINKS OFF FLORIDA COAST
Crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) offload 33,768 pounds of cocaine in San Diego, May 28, 2024. (Petty Officer 3rd Class Hunter Schnabel/U.S. Coast Guard District 11)
The latest seizure is the largest since the Coast Guard announced the seizure of 33,200 pounds of cocaine and 12,400 pounds of marijuana in October.
The unloaded drugs were intercepted during 13 separate cases in October in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
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“This discharge is about national security,” said Vice Admiral Kevin Lunday, commander of the US Coast Guard's Atlantic Area. “It represents one part of a very large and strong interagency team that works closely with our allies and international partners to interdict maritime smuggling of dangerous and illegal drugs into the United States.”
The Coast Guard seized $55 million in cocaine and marijuana (Coastguard)
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American drug interdiction efforts involve all federal defense and law enforcement agencies, including the Coast Guard, Homeland Security, the Pentagon, the FBI, and the Department of Justice, among many others.
