The U.S. Coast Guard seized approximately $1.3 million in drugs Saturday afternoon after intercepting a smuggling vessel eight miles offshore of Miami. The operation, conducted by the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge, occurred around 2:15 p.m. as part of routine maritime security efforts. Authorities discovered 17 pounds of marijuana and 174 pounds of cocaine aboard the vessel, which laboratory testing later confirmed. The drugs are estimated to have a combined street value of $1.3 million.
The interdiction took place during a routine patrol, according to a Coast Guard statement. The Richard Etheridge, based in Miami, is one of several vessels tasked with monitoring drug trafficking in the region. The Coast Guard said the crew detected suspicious activity and initiated a boarding operation. No injuries were reported during the encounter, but the vessel’s crew was taken into custody. The Coast Guard did not immediately release the names of those detained.
The seizure marks one of the largest drug interdictions in the area this year. The Coast Guard and partner agencies have been increasing patrols along Florida’s eastern seaboard in response to rising drug trafficking activity. The Richard Etheridge’s crew worked with local law enforcement to secure the vessel and transport the drugs to a federal facility for further processing. The Coast Guard said the operation was part of a broader strategy to disrupt illicit drug networks.
The drugs were found hidden in the vessel’s compartments during the boarding. Coast Guard officials emphasized the importance of such operations in preventing narcotics from reaching local communities. The case is now being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The Coast Guard said it will continue monitoring the area for further signs of smuggling activity.