U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant’s crew offloaded 17,450 lbs. of cocaine and 2,585 lbs. of marijuana earlier this month worth $132 million at Port Everglades. The Valient is a 210' medium endurance cutter homeported in Jacksonville, Fla., under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous crew offloaded approximately 840 lbs. of cocaine worth an estimated $6.2 million the day before, at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach. Vigorous is a 210' medium endurance cutter homeported in Virginia Beach, Va., under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.
The seized contraband was the result of six interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by Coast Guard and interagency partners.
“I am incredibly proud of our Valiant team and how they exemplify American values. They sacrifice time away from their families and when necessary, put themselves in harm’s way to secure our borders and protect the American people,” Cmdr. Matthew Press, commanding officer of Valiant, said in a Coast Guard statement announcing the seizures. “Collaborating with the United States Navy, Royal Canadian, and Royal Netherlands Navies, our multinational team disrupted transnational criminal organizations making the world a safer place.”
On May 19, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel approximately 85 miles north of Aruba. Valiant’s crew interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 2,645 lbs. of cocaine.
On May 22, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel approximately 170 miles north of Aruba. Valiant’s crew interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 7,750 lbs. of cocaine.
On May 25, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel approximately 290 miles south of the Dominican Republic. USS Gravely’s crew interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 840 lbs. of cocaine. The narcotics were transferred to the Vigorous.
On May 29, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel approximately 140 miles south of the Dominican Republic. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship William Hall’s crew interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 750 lbs. of cocaine. The narcotics were transferred to the Valiant.
On May 29, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel approximately 15 miles north of Venezuela. The Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Friesland crew interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 4,050 lbs. of cocaine and 2,585 lbs. of marijuana. The narcotics were transferred to the Valiant.
On May 31, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel approximately 185 miles north of Colombia. HMCS William Hall’s crew and interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 2,250 lbs. of cocaine. The narcotics were transferred to the Valiant.
The following crews assisted with interdiction operations:
• Joint Interagency Tash Force — South (JIATF-S),
• U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South,
• U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific,
• USS Gravely (DDG 107),
• U.S. Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74,
• Royle Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Friesland,
• HMCS William Hall (AOPV 433), and
• Seventh Coast Guard District watchstanders
Detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. Joint Interagency Task Force-South, in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami.
These interdictions relate to Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces’ Strike Force initiatives and designated investigations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Additional information about the OCDETF can be found here.
