FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard unloaded nearly 10 tons of cocaine and 23 kilos of heroin Tuesday at Port Everglades.
The drugs were seized during 14 separate drug smuggling busts in international waters off the coasts of Mexico and Central America, authorities said.
“This offload today is not just the result of one unit, but the combined efforts of multiple Coast Guard cutters, aircraft and support, as well as that of our partners and allied men and women who continue to work day and night to stop these criminal organizations from profiting off transnational crime and smuggling,” said Commander John McTamney.
The estimated wholesale value of the dope was $300 million, Coast Guard officials said.
“While this offload represents approximately 10 tons of illicit drugs that will never hit our streets, it also represents a significant depletion to the cash flow to these criminal organizations,” he said.
The interdictions, including actual boarding of smugglers’ vessels, are led and conducted by the Coast Guard.
———
©2017 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
