US Coast Guard Seizes $64.5 Million in Cocaine in Caribbean Sea
The U.S. Coast Guard has offloaded nearly 8,700 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $64.5 million, following successful interdictions in the Western Caribbean Sea.
The drugs were seized by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616) during a deployment in support of the Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF-S). During the operation, the cutter’s crew interdicted more than 10,000 pounds of illicit narcotics.
A Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616) crew member carries a bundle of illicit narcotics off the cutter during a drug offload at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida, Sept. 22, 2025. Diligence’s crew conducted a 57-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea to counter illicit drug smuggling in the region.
Cmdr. Colin McKee, commanding officer of Diligence, praised his crew and partner agencies for their efforts. “This joint effort helped us prevent more than four tons of illegal drugs from entering the United States. While this offload marks another milestone in our efforts to counter narco-terrorism, the Coast Guard remains relentless in our operations to control, secure, and defend U.S. borders and maritime approaches.” he said.
The seizures resulted from two interdictions in international waters. On August 7, Diligence intercepted a go-fast vessel 136 miles southwest of Negril, Jamaica, seizing 1,500 pounds of marijuana. That contraband was later offloaded by Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton (WMSL 753) in Port Everglades.
On September 6, a suspicious vessel was spotted 240 miles north of Panama. Diligence’s boarding team seized more than 8,700 pounds of cocaine, which were offloaded Monday in St. Petersburg and handed over to case agents.
The operations involved multiple assets, including Coast Guard District Southeast and JIATF-S, highlighting the extensive interagency and international coordination required to intercept narcotics at sea. Officials note that roughly 80 percent of U.S.-bound drugs are intercepted on the high seas.
A go-fast vessel laden with illicit drugs in the Caribbean Sea, Sept. 7, 2025. On Sept. 6, Diligence’s crew disrupted the go-fast style panga, suspected of trafficking more than 8,700 pounds of cocaine, worth nearly $64.5 million.
The Coast Guard emphasized that these operations target the flow of illicit drugs that fuel transnational criminal organizations and support the production of illegal fentanyl, posing threats to the United States.
The Diligence, a 210-foot Reliance-class medium endurance cutter, carries out counter-drug and alien interdiction missions, fisheries enforcement, and search-and-rescue operations across the Western Hemisphere.
We really don’t need to hear any manufactured news coming out of the USA, who is trying their best to take over Venezuela oil. The Romans once conquered the world, where are they now?🤔🤔🤔
Considering it’s the Caribbean Sea, you should be interesting in such news. One thing about Antigua.news they don’t post if it’s not real. As a follower of professional journalism
They hate venezuella so they would say anything
Hmmm. They better count themselves lucky they didn’t light up their vessel
Think I saw a picture where they actually did. The US could careless with what they do right now
In western Caribbean sea? Hmmm. Continue to try to tarnish venezuellas reputation mr Trump. GOD SEEING YOU
Let’s not forget who America is
The drugs came from America heading to the Caribbean. Just like the guns. Kiss my teeth USA
The Caribbean is on the frontline of the drug trade, and this bust shows why strong maritime surveillance is so important.
Too many of Young Caribbean youths are high on cocaine and destroying their lives. Clamp them down