US Coast Guard Offloads $20M Caribbean Drug Seizure at Miami Beach

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland offloaded approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana, valued at $20.1 million, at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach following successful interdiction operations in the Caribbean Sea. These drugs were seized in four interdictions conducted jointly with international partners, including the Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS William Hall, the Royal Netherlands Navy's HNLMS Friesland, the U.S. Navy, and Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Teams. Commander Brian Gismervik emphasized that stopping illicit narcotics from reaching U.S. shores is a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies and international forces. The operations were coordinated by the Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Key West, which monitors aerial and maritime drug trafficking, with the Seventh Coast Guard District overseeing interdiction and apprehension. These interdictions highlight the dynamic and complex maritime environment requiring teamwork across the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and international partners to combat transnational criminal organizations. The Northland, a 270-foot Reliance-class cutter, played a key role in delivering the seized contraband to Miami for processing.