US Coast Guard Seizes $64.5 Million in Cocaine in Western 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.

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.

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.