The United States Coast Guard offloaded nearly $600,000 estimated wholesale value of marijuana at Coast Guard Sector Miami Friday.
On Aug. 3, the Coast Guard detected a vessel with suspicious packages off the coast of Jamaica. The men aboard began throwing packages overboard after the USCG began pursuit.
The crew launched its small boat and stopped the suspect vessel after employing disabling fire against one of the outboard engines.
25 packages of marijuana (650 pounds) was later recovered from the water.
"These individual seizures not only keep drugs off the streets and reduce the destabilizing effects they have on society, but they get our investigatory agencies one step closer to disabling the transnational criminal organizations that threaten the prosperity and security of free nations," said Cmdr. Tim Cronin, the Coast Guard's 7th District deputy chief of enforcement.
The four suspected smugglers were transferred to federal authorities for investigation.
