A mind boggling $475 million worth of drugs were seized by US Coastguard officials in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
The crew of the USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) offloaded approximately 24,700 pounds of cocaine and 3,892 pounds of marijuana at Base Miami Beach on Thursday (15 September).
"I am proud of the crew’s continued devotion to duty that made this offload possible," said Cdr. Jeremy M. Greenwood, commanding officer of Legare.
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"Through the coordinated efforts of the Legare, the LEDETs, HNLMS Groningen, CGC James, and the USS Billings crews, we significantly contributed to the counter-drug mission and the dismantling of transnational criminal organisations.
"The drugs seized through this coordinated effort will result in significantly fewer drug-related overdoses."
The US Coast Guard said: "From detection and monitoring to interdiction and apprehension, and on to criminal prosecutions by international partners and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in districts across the nation.
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"Detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination.
"The U.S. Navy and allied foreign ships conduct law enforcement missions under the authority of embarked Coast Guard LEDETs from Tactical Law Enforcement Teams based in Miami and San Diego."
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They added: "The fight against drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, and the transnational criminal organisations they are associated with, requires a unity of effort in all phases.
"From detection and monitoring to interdiction and apprehension, and on to criminal prosecutions by international partners and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in districts across the nation.
"Detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination.
"The Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Florida conducts detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs.
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"Maritime interdiction of illicit smuggling activity in the Caribbean Sea is coordinated by the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami."
The drugs were interdicted in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean by crews from:
- His Netherlands Majesty’s Ship HNLMS Groningen (P843) of the Royal Netherlands Navy and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 101
- U.S. Navy ship USS Billings (LCS 15) and embarked USCG LEDET 401
- Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754)
- Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912)
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Anish Vij