Over $20 Million in Drugs seized by US Coast Guard in Caribbean region says report

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

December 21, 2023 – The movement of drugs continues in the Caribbean region as cocaine worth more than  $20 million was seized by the United States Coast Guard.

About 700 kilograms of the substance with an estimated street value of over $20.3 million dollars was confiscated and along with the seizure was the apprehension of six smugglers in the Caribbean Sea.

The operation leading to the discovery of the illegal substance and smugglers, according to the Coast Guard in a December 14th release, was a 52-day counter drug patrol in the region.

During the patrol, the guard informs that the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616) crew supported the Joint Interagency Task Force South to prevent and deter illicit narcotics smuggling.

Diligence is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter and its primary missions are counterdrug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcing federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Nolan Cain, the commander of the vessel, informs that crew was able to collaborate with the Department of Defense and international partners, for this successful mission.

Also, he reiterated the efforts of the United States regarding drugs saying, “Stopping the flow of drugs to the United States is a challenging mission that requires a significant amount of teamwork.”

The crew of the Cutter returned to homeport in Pensacola on Thursday after the  52-day counterdrug patrol.