Coast Guard intercepts over $20 million in drugs from smugglers

The U.S. Coast Guard, in a concerted operation involving multiple agencies and international partners, successfully intercepted more than 5,500 pounds of illegal narcotics in the Caribbean Sea. This operation took place in the days leading up to the Fourth of July celebrations in 2025. The seized drugs, valued at over $20 million, comprised approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana, with the offloading occurring at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach. Participants in this multi-national operation included vessels from the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, and the U.S. Navy. The effort is a testament to the United States' collaboration with its allies to combat drug trafficking across international waters. Cmdr. Brian Gismervik, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Northland, highlighted the importance of teamwork and coordination among the various military and law enforcement agencies in intercepting drug shipments. The interdictions were part of a larger strategy to diminish the impact of transnational criminal organizations that operate in the region. Significant coordination is required to effectively monitor and interdict drug traffickers in the high seas, and the Joint Interagency Task Force-South plays a crucial role in this surveillance and enforcement effort. During the operation, the law enforcement phase transitioned to the U.S. Coast Guard, which undertook measures to apprehend suspects once potential drug smuggling activity was detected. Overall, this successful interdiction not only removes significant amounts of illegal substances from circulation but also serves as a warning to smugglers that there is an active and collaborative effort to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean. The Coast Guard does not yet have information regarding the suspects involved, but the operation demonstrates the commitment of U.S. and international forces to protect communities from the harms of illicit drugs.