U.S. Coast Guard Seizes Cocaine Worth $32M Near Florida, Six Smugglers Arrested

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell seized $32.2 million worth of cocaine and apprehended six smugglers in two separate Caribbean Sea incidents on Tuesday.

Commanding Officer Colin Weaver expressed gratitude for the commendable efforts of both the crews and agency partners in carrying out the successful interdictions.

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Coast Guard crews and agency partners involved with this interdiction, Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell brought these suspected smugglers and illicit contraband ashore for prosecution.”

The Department of Justice will handle those arrested. They are now facing federal prosecution as part of investigations conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).

Collaborative efforts of the USCG Cutter Richard Dixon, USCG Cutter Dauntless, and the Joint Interagency Task Force South led to the successful drug seizures, highlighting the crucial role of interagency and international coordination at sea.

Key West’s Joint Interagency Task Force South monitored the illegal drug transit, and as interception neared, the U.S. Coast Guard took charge, leading law enforcement in the Caribbean under Miami’s Seventh District authority.