Coast Guard Makes Record-Breaking Drug Seizure in Florida

On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard offloaded over 76,000 pounds of illicit drugs in Florida. This event represented the largest single-operation drug seizure in the Coast Guard's history. The drugs were unloaded at Port Everglades, Florida, as part of Operation Pacific Viper.

The seized drugs included 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $473 million. The Coast Guard stated that the amount of cocaine seized could potentially be lethal to 23 million people, given the small lethal dose of the drug.

Rear Adm. Adam Chamie highlighted the significance of the seizure, emphasizing the threat posed by drug trafficking. Operation Pacific Viper is part of a broader effort to disrupt drug cartel activities in Latin America and prevent drugs and human smuggling from reaching the United States.

The operation involved 19 interdictions in international waters off the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, and a ship from the Royal Netherlands Navy also participated in the patrols.

Capt. John McWhite, commanding officer of the Hamilton, praised the crew's achievements. The crew interdicted numerous vessels, detained suspected drug traffickers, and seized a substantial amount of cocaine. He acknowledged the dedication of the service members and their families.

The Hamilton's successes included the interdiction of vessels near the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, and near Socorro Island, Mexico, resulting in the seizure of thousands of pounds of cocaine. The Coast Guard also noted that a significant percentage of illegal drug interdictions occur on the high seas.