In a significant drug bust off the coast of Broward County, a U.S. Coast Guard boat crew intercepted 550 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $6 million. The seizure took place near Port Everglades last Saturday, CBS12 reports.
Acting in concert, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Coast Guard managed to apprehend the drug smugglers onboard a 36-foot vessel. "The Coast Guard and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners remain vigilant in our shared efforts to keep our maritime borders safe by preventing illicit narcotics from reaching our communities," Lt. Daniel Sunday explained, according to CBS12. The suspects in this operation have been handed over and are slated to face federal prosecution for their alleged involvement in drug smuggling.
Detailed information on the operation was also disclosed by WSVN, which clarified the street value of the narcotics to be around $6.3 million. The collaborative effort reflects the heightened law enforcement focus on ports and coastlines, which are potential entry points for criminal activities.
Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations from the Southeast Region, and the Broward County Sheriff's Office, also played instrumental roles in the bust. The Coast Guard Investigative Service agents have taken the lead on the prosecution front, as the suspected smuggler, and their contraband-laden vessel remain in federal custody.
