U.S Coast Guard seized illegal drugs worth $55M, including cocaine and marijuana
On Monday, a U.S. Coast Guard team in Florida offloaded approximately $55 million in cocaine and marijuana following a 60-day patrol aimed at drug interdiction.
Jan 30, 2024 | updated: 7:05 AM EST, February 1, 2024
60 days of patrol
While on patrol as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force - South, the crew of the Resolute intercepted two alleged drug trafficking operations. They successfully prevented about 6,565 pounds of marijuana and roughly 3,700 pounds of cocaine from reaching the United States, leading to the detention of six suspected traffickers. These drug seizures occurred in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
- The pride and dedication of Resolute’s crew was evident throughout the entirety of our patrol (...) Despite being deployed throughout the holiday season, the crew served with professionalism. The result of their collected effort was an extremely successful patrol, which kept 55 million dollars of drugs from reaching its intended destination. Every Resolute sailor and their loved ones should be proud; they are a living example of the Coast Guard’s motto, "Semper Paratus – Always Ready." It is an honor to lead such a fine ship and crew - said Cmdr Matthew R. Kolodica, commanding officer of Resolute.
What does the unit look like?
According to the United States Coast Guard News, "Resolute is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter homeported in St. Petersburg with a crew 80. The cutter’s primary missions include law enforcement, search and rescue, protecting living marine resources, homeland security and defense operations, international training, and humanitarian operations throughout the Western hemisphere".
Source: United States Coast Guard News