Coast Guard's Major Drug Operation Nets 34 Arrests

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James, alongside Cutter Mohawk, successfully offloaded over 48,000 pounds of illegal drugs valued at more than $509 million at Port Everglades, Florida, following multiple interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean between January and February. These operations involved seizing 44,550 pounds of cocaine and 3,880 pounds of marijuana, and led to the detention of 34 suspected traffickers linked to Mexican cartels such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi commended the Coast Guard and law enforcement for dealing a significant blow to these transnational criminal organizations. The seizure is part of ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling and related violence, with the smuggled drugs thought to potentially cause extensive harm to U.S. communities. The operation underscores the collaborative efforts between the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Coast Guard in safeguarding the nation from illicit drug trade.