The United States Coast Guard says the crew of its Cutter Richard Dixon interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, with about 7,250 pounds of cocaine on board worth about US$54.5 million, detaining five suspected drug smugglers.
The Coast Guard said the interdiction took place about 50 miles south of Puerto Rico.
“This interdiction shows what ready crews and strong interagency partnerships can achieve in the maritime domain,” said Coast Guard Southeast District Commander Admiral Adam Chamie.
“The Richard Dixon crew, Air Station Miami and our Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations partners stopped more than 7,000 pounds of cocaine before it could reach our communities, and we will keep taking the fight to the criminal networks that threaten our region,” he added.
The five people on the vessel are detained pending further investigation.
“The vessel was destroyed as it posed a hazard to navigation,” it said.
Lieutenant Commander Michael D. Torgesen, Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon commanding officer, said “an outstanding team effort, thanks to seamless coordination with Coast Guard and CBP (US Customs and Border Patrol agency) air assets, cutter Richard Dixon was in the right place at the right time to stop a major shipment.
“I’m constantly humbled by my crew’s dedication and am proud to serve alongside them as we strike a direct blow against transnational smuggling operations and protect the nation’s maritime borders in the Caribbean,” he added.
The US Coast Guard is the United States’ lead federal agency for maritime drug interdiction.
“We are part of the Department of Homeland Security team protecting our nation and are at all times a military service and part of the joint force defending it.” (CMC)
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