More than 17K pounds of cocaine, marijuana seized in Florida
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A combined total of 17,539 pounds of illegal narcotics with a street value of approximately $185 million was seized in Port Everglades by the U.S. Coast Guard.
On Friday, crews with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk offloaded 13,803 pounds of cocaine and 3,736 pounds of marijuana.
The narcotics were intercepted in six separate cases in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Along with the substances, 10 smugglers were detained and are expected to face prosecution in federal court.
“Our offload today represents the combined efforts of U.S. and allied military units from a Caribbean coalition of partners working together to deny drug trafficking organizations access to maritime smuggling routes,” Cmdr. David Ratner, commanding officer of USCGC Mohawk said.