The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday offloaded more than $99 million worth of illegal narcotics at the base on Miami Beach.
Coast Guard and partner agency crews from the Netherlands seized approximately 5,237 pounds of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea, the agency said.
“Interdicting drug traffickers on the open ocean is challenging work and every interdiction is complex and unique,” said Cmdr. Justin Nadolny, the commanding officer of Thetis. “This offload is a testament to the teamwork and devotion of every crew assigned to carry out this mission, and it showcases the strength of the valuable international partnerships united to combat transnational organized crime.”
The law enforcement phase of operations in the Caribbean Sea is conducted under the authority of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami. The seizures, including the actual boardings, are led and conducted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard, the statement continued.
The Thetis, a 270-foot Famous-class medium endurance cutter, is homeported in Key West and patrols the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, performing counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction operations, search and rescue and fisheries enforcement.
SOURCE: US COAST GUARD AND NEW AGENCIES
