The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton made history this week when it docked in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the largest single load of drugs confiscated in the history of the service.
The crew of the Charleston-based cutter offloaded 76,140 pounds of narcotics, valued at $473 million. The drug load, consisting of 61,740 pounds of cocaine and approximately 14,400 pounds of marijuana, was seized during 19 encounters with cartel smuggling boats while patrolling the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
The Hamilton was joined on this patrol by the crews of the:
U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations Aircraft
This armada of assets was combined in support of two operations aimed at cartel smugglers:
During their patrols of the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the crews interdicted 11 "go-fast" cartel drug smuggling vessels and detained 34 suspected drug traffickers.
How much damage do you think these patrols have done to cartel smuggling operations?
Share your thoughts in the comments to this article.
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Thanks Jack, again great reporting!
So join the coast guard for fun and profits?