The Coast Guard is at it again, this time seizing 1.100 pounds of cocaine off the coast of Central America.
The coke, with an estimated street value of $29 million, was seized by the Coast Guard and Costa Rican authorities from a fishing vessel in the international waters of the Pacific Ocean.
“This interdiction is a great example of what we can accomplish with strong international partners,” said Rear Adm. Peter Gautier, the 11th Coast Guard District Commander.
According to a Coast Guard release, a chopper from a cutter’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron spotted a fishing vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics last week and contacted the Costa Rican Air Surveillance Service for assistance.
Four suspected drug smugglers were found on the Amanda M when the vessel was boarded by authorities. Several false compartments containing the cocaine were discovered by April 9.
The suspected drug smugglers were turned over to the Costa Rican authorities.
U.S. Southern Command began enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere on April 1 in support of President Donald Trump’s national security objectives.
Coast Guard seizes 1.100 pounds of pot off Puerto Rico
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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