Department of Justice

Coast Guard Says It Seized More Than $32 Million in Cocaine

The U.S. Coast Guard said it seized more than 970 kilos of cocaine, it valued at more than $30 million, from a freighter in the Caribbean Sea on August 10.

Coast Guard Cutter Tampa was on patrol in the waters and came across the 226-foot Panamanian-flagged freighter. The crew of the Tampa searched the vessel for multiple days before finding a hidden compartment holding the drugs.

"This is a huge win for the crew,” said Cmdr. Clinton S. Carlson, commanding officer of the cutter Tampa. “A boarding like this takes the concerted effort of all hands in one form or another and the Tampa crew did magnificent and ultimately kept these drugs from crossing our borders.”

The ship, along with 11 suspects and the drugs, were turned over to the Department of Justice when the cutter returned to shore. According to the Coast Guard, the cocaine that was seized had a wholesale value of $32.4 million.

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