Coast Guard Seizes Over $2.4 Million in Suspected Marijuana
The U.S. Coast Guard recently recovered more than a ton of suspected marijuana valued at over $2.4 million. This followed the interception of a suspicious vessel known for fast speed during a routine patrol, according to military officials.
During the operation, crews unearthed 47 bales, which together weighed about 2,082 pounds. This information comes from the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S).
In connection with this incident, four individuals were detained, JIATF-S reported. The seizure took place during a standard patrol after the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba crew noticed a “suspicious go-fast vessel” and sent a boat crew for further investigation.
“The vessel stopped without further incident,” JIATF-S explained. Afterward, during subsequent operations, Coast Guard crews spotted what they referred to as a “bale field” along the vessel’s prior path and managed to retrieve the suspected marijuana.
JIATF-S described the operation as one that demanded vigilance and professionalism, highlighting the seamless cooperation from detection to evidence recovery and search-rescue support.
While the specific location of the incident wasn’t disclosed, officials expressed gratitude to the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Haiti for their timely assistance and coordination throughout the operation.
This drug seizure aligns with the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to crack down on narcotics trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) emphasized that this operation demonstrates the United States’ determination to combat the influx of dangerous drugs into the country.
This week, SOUTHCOM reported two operations in which U.S. forces intercepted and sank vessels in the Eastern Pacific linked to the Los Choneros, described as a violent narco-terrorist group.
Moreover, the U.S. military has been engaged in a prolonged campaign initiated by the Trump administration to dismantle cartel-related trafficking networks, which includes numerous strikes targeting vessels believed to be connected to “narco-terrorists.”
The recent seizure follows another significant Coast Guard bust that occurred off the coast of Puerto Rico last month. There, the Coast Guard intercepted a suspected smuggling boat nearly 50 miles offshore and found over 7,000 pounds of cocaine worth around $54.5 million, leading to the detention of five people on board.
