Coast Guard seizes $18M worth of cocaine after boat capsizes
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded over 1,380 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of roughly $18.1 million, in Florida.
On Wednesday, officials in Miami Beach interdicted the drugs in the middle of the Caribbean Sea.
The Coast Guard said the boat capsized during the interdiction, forcing Coast Guardsmen to rescue the three suspected smugglers on board before recovering the contraband that had been discarded into the sea.
Suspected drug smugglers standing on top of a sinking vessel approximately 90 miles south of Haiti on July 24, 2024. The USS St. Louis launched a small boat crew to rescue the suspected smugglers after their vessel capsized. (Courtesy photo) 
A suspected drug smuggling vessel sinking in the Caribbean sea on July 24, 2024. The alleged smugglers were rescued by small boat crews from the USS St. Louis after their vessel began taking on water. (Courtesy asset) 
Bales of cocaine stacked on a pier at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. This offload was the result of drug interdiction efforts by Coast Guard and Navy crews in the international waters of Caribbean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg) 
A suspected drug smuggling vessel sinking in the Caribbean Sea on July 24, 2024. The alleged smugglers were rescued by small boat crews from the USS St. Louis after their vessel began taking on water. (Courtesy asset) 
The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered moors alongside the Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. The crew of the Yered proceeded to offload approximately 1,380 pounds of cocaine for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg) 
A crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered carries a bale of cocaine to shore for destruction at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. Once ashore custody of interdicted narcotics are transferred to partner agencies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg) 
A crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered carries a bale of cocaine to shore for destruction at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. Once ashore custody of interdicted narcotics are transferred to partner agencies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg) 
A crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered carries a bale of cocaine to shore for destruction at Base Miami Beach on August 14, 2024. Once ashore custody of interdicted narcotics are transferred to partner agencies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
The three suspects will face prosecution in federal courts, according to officials.
“I am incredibly proud of the skill and tenacity displayed by our entire team during this interdiction,” Cmdr. T.J. Orth, commanding officer of USS St. Louis, said. “This operation was a testament to the capability of our Navy-Coast Guard and interagency teams. The sailors of St. Louis and HSM-50, and Coast Guardsmen of LEDET 105 utilized every resource and capability at their disposal to track and intercept the vessel and then respond to safeguard the lives of the three suspected smugglers.”
