DATE: July 22, 2009 10:27:04 EST
U.S Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard Logo

Press Release

 Date: July 22, 2009
Contact: LCDR Matt Moorlag
(305) 415-7153

Coast Guard, Royal Navy seize estimated $55 million in cocaine

U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) crewmembers and HMS Iron Duke crewmembers stack bales of cocaine intercepted off the coast of Venezeula Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo courtesy of HMS Iron Duke. 

U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) crewmembers and HMS Iron Duke crewmembers stack bales of cocaine intercepted off the coast of Venezuela Thursday, July 16, 2009.  Photo courtesy of HMS Iron Duke.

 U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) crewmembers assigned to HMS Iron Duke approach a stopped go-fast vessel off the coast of Venezuela July 16, 2009. Thirty-six bales of cocaine worth an estimated $55 million were seized during the drug bust. Photo courtesy of HMS Iron Duke.

U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) crewmembers assigned to HMS Iron Duke approach a stopped go-fast vessel off the coast of Venezuela July 16, 2009.  Thirty-six bales of cocaine worth an estimated $55 million were seized during the drug bust.  Photo courtesy of HMS Iron Duke.

An HMS Iron Duke smallboat approaches a stopped go-fast vessel off the coast of Venezuela Thursday July 16, 2009. Thirty-six bales of cocaine worth an estimated $55 million were seized during the drug bust. Photo courtesy of HMS Iron Duke.

An HMS Iron Duke smallboat approaches a stopped go-fast vessel off the coast of Venezuela Thursday July 16, 2009.  Thirty-six bales of cocaine worth an estimated $55 million were seized during the drug bust.  Photo courtesy of HMS Iron Duke.

 

MIAMI - A Coast Guard law enforcement boarding team from Miami, aboard the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Iron Duke, seized an estimated $55 million worth of cocaine from a go-fast vessel off the coast of Venezuela Thursday.

While on routine patrol in the Caribbean Sea, Iron Duke crewmembers located a suspicious go-fast vessel and launched an embarked Lynx helicopter crew to investigate after witnessing the go-fast crew throwing packages overboard. The Iron Duke also launched a smallboat with the Coast Guard law enforcement team and conducted an at-sea boarding. Crews boarded the vessel, detained four men and recovered the 36 bales of cocaine thrown overboard.

"This is an outstanding example of the partnership between the U.S. and our regional and NATO colleagues to stem the flow of illegal narcotics to Europe and North America," said Capt. Steven A. Banks, chief of Law Enforcement at District Seven.

Coast Guard Law Enforcement Team 406 is based in Miami at the Tactical Law Enforcement Team South.
###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.

The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Printer Friendly Versionprinter friendly