Coast Guard Docks in St. Pete After Seizing $11 Million Worth of Cocaine

For the third time in four months, the U.S. Coast Guard has docked in St. Petersburg after seizing millions of dollars worth of cocaine. 

The latest drug bust worth $11 million was announced Thursday after crews docked in St. Pete. Authorities say that totaled 17 bales of the powdery drug. 

According to FirstCoastNews.com, the operation was a part of Operation Martillo. 

"The Coast Guard said the drugs were seized from a go fast boat that was spotted in the western Caribbean by a marine air patrol unit.

The suspects on the boat attempted to escape at high speeds, but a Coast Guard helicopter fired several warning shots and eventually disabled the boat's engines. Three men have been detained along with the drugs."

In December, nearly two tons of cocaine worth $45 million was offloaded by the U.S. Coast Guard in St. Pete. 

According to a Coast Guard news release, the ship Decisive and crews seized 3,967 pounds of cocaine in December. The seizure was part of a multi-agency law enforcement plans called Operation Unified Resolve.

“Our Coast Guardsmen are committed brave men and women who everyday go far out to sea, away from our immediate shores, to stop the threats that come from the sea and bring those responsible to justice.” said Coast Guard Capt. Drew Pearson, Sector San Juan commander in a December news release.

In October, the U.S. Coast Guard announced it had seized more than $35 million worth of cocaine during a patrol in the Western Caribbean.