MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard Cutter James to offload 28,000 pounds of cocaine, 11,000 pounds of marijuana at Port Everglades

Media Advisory

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast Contact: 7th District Public Affairs Office: 305-415-6683 After Hours: 786-367-7649 7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard Cutter James to offload 27,300 pounds of cocaine, 11,000 pounds of marijuana at Port Everglades

  

Editor’s Note:  Media interested in attending must RSVP with the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs duty officer at 786-367-7649. Only credentialed media will be granted access to the event. Media must arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. 

Security:  Be prepared to show government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport, and media credentials at the security checkpoint.

WHO: Adm. Karl Schulz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard,  Rear Adm. José Jauquín Amézquita García, head of Naval planning for the Colombian Navy, Capt. Jeffrey Randall, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754),

WHAT: Press briefing discussing the offload approximately 27,300 pounds of cocaine and 11,000 pounds of marijuana

WHEN: The press event will take place at 10:30 a.m. Media should arrive at Port Everglades Terminal 22 no later than 9:30 a.m. Monday.

WHERE: Port Everglades Midport Garage, 1850 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Terminal 22

The Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754) crew is scheduled to hold a press briefing discussing the offload of approximately 27,300 pounds of seized cocaine worth an estimated $367 million and 11,000 pounds of seized marijuana worth an estimated $10.1 million at Port Everglades.

The drugs were interdicted in international waters of the Caribbean Basin and the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America and include contraband seized and recovered in 18 separate interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels by U.S. Coast Guard:

• The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC-621) crew was responsible for two cases, seizing approximately 4,184 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Spencer (WMEC-905) crew was responsible for one interdiction seizing approximately 1,477 pounds of cocaine.
• The cutter James crew was responsible for six interdictions seizing approximately 7,022 pounds of cocaine and 4,085 pounds marijuana.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Northland (WMEC-904) was responsible for two interdictions seizing more than 12,214 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Harriett Lane (WMEC-903) crew was responsible for two cases, seizing nearly 750 pounds of cocaine and 5,540 pounds of marijuana.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC-910) crew was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 160 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Venturous (WMEC-625) crew was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 890 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Confidence (WMEC-619) crew was responsible for one case, seizing nearly 110 pounds of cocaine and 1,600 pounds of marijuana.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC-913) crew was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 1,930 pounds of cocaine.
• The Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC-617) crew was responsible for one case, seizing approximately 800 pounds of cocaine.

“The offload of over 19 tons of drugs represents the efforts of not only 10 Coast Guard cutters over 18 separate interdictions, but also the commitment and dedication of international allies and partners, like the Colombians, as we work together to disrupt the networks that profit from  them,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Neiman, Seventh Coast Guard District public affairs officer.

The cutter Valiant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Mayport, Florida. The cutter Spencer is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Boston, Massachusetts. The cutter James is a 418-foot legend-class cutter homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. The cutter Northland is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. The cutter Harriett Lane is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. The cutter Thetis is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Key West, Florida. The cutter Venturous is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida. The cutter Confidence is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida. The cutter Mohawk is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Key West, Florida. The cutter Vigilant is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida.

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