Coast Guard Offloads 17 Tons Of Cocaine In Florida

FORT LAUDERDLE, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded 34,780 pounds of cocaine early Tuesday at Port Everglades. The drugs have an estimated wholesale value of $466 million. The cocaine was seized in 21 separate interdictions of suspected drug-smuggling vessels off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America.

"The interdiction and disruption of more than 17 tons of cocaine is a result of the collaboration and coordination of multiple Coast Guard and interagency assets to address the complex maritime challenge of transnational criminal organizations,” said Cmdr. Michael Sharp, commanding officer of the cutter Forward.

Watch below as the cutter Forward conducts a drug interdiction courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard:

"What you see behind us is work that makes American streets safer," declared Coast Guard Commandant Karl Schultz as he stood in front of hundreds of bundles of cocaine at Port Everglades.

Of the 34,780 pounds of cocaine:

• The cutter Forward was responsible for eight cases seizing an estimated 14,207 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton was responsible for five cases, seizing an estimated 9,460 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell was responsible for four cases, seizing an estimated 6,153 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Alert was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 5,736 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Venturous was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 1,565 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Confidence was responsible for one case seizing an estimated 553 pounds of cocaine.

U.S. Coast Guard displays 34,780 pounds of cocaine seized in 21 interdictions. Photo courtesy Coast Guard.