The crew of the US Coast Guard medium endurance cutter (WMEC) USCGC Venturous offloaded approximately 5,300 pounds (2,400 kg) of cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated US$14.1 million at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach on Friday, May 2.
The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of the WMEC USCGC Diligence and the Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Groningen with an embarked coast guard law enforcement detachment. Groningen conducted three of the interdictions within a span of one week.
The other units involved in the recent interdiction operations include US Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific, Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S), and Seventh Coast Guard District command center watchstanders.
Detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination.
JIATF-S, in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the coast guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases.
Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the US Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami.