FHP seizes over $17 million worth of cocaine during traffic stop, state officials say
During the traffic stop, troopers recovered about 173 kilograms, or about 381 pounds, of cocaine.
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During the traffic stop, troopers recovered about 173 kilograms, or about 381 pounds, of cocaine.
Officials emphasized that 80 percent of U.S.-bound narcotics seizures occur at sea, underscoring the significance of maritime interdictions.
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca offloaded more than 12,750 pounds of cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated $94.5 million at Port Everglades on Tuesday, officials said.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic said they have confiscated cocaine transported by a speedboat that was destroyed recently by the U.S. Navy.
A 14-month investigation dubbed "Operation Trackside" led to 24 arrests and the seizure of drugs, cash, firearms, vehicles and a boat in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The seizure comes as President Donald Trump has declared war on Latin American drug traffickers and designated cartels foreign terrorist organizations.
Boynton Beach police said Operation Trackside uncovered a major drug trafficking organization operating through Palm Beach and Broward County.
The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded a record 61,740 pounds of cocaine and 14,400 pounds of marijuana in what officials called the largest drug seizure in its history.
The Coast Guard said the drugs were seized about 120 miles off the coast of Ecuador.
It is the first reported discovery in South American waters of an unmanned semisubmersible vessel, Colombia's navy said.
South Florida serves as a key hub for these efforts, with the Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Key West coordinating detection and monitoring of illegal drug transit.
The U.S. Coast Guard announced the offloading of approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana, valued at $20.1 million, Wednesday at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach.
A beachgoer stumbled across nearly $500,000 worth of cocaine wrapped in "Yosemite Sam" packaging in Florida, authorities said.
Some transactions allegedly occurred while the juvenile lay on a nearby couch or used a computer in the residence, police said.
Coast Guard officials announced the drug seizure followed four successful interdictions in the Eastern Pacific.
The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded more than 28,500 pounds of cocaine, valued at an estimated $211.3 million, on Thursday at Port Everglades, authorities said.
More than 100 fentanyl pills and nearly 9 grams of powder cocaine were seized, according to the sheriff's office.
The U.S. Coast Guard believes that these shipments are being moved by international drug rings.
Officers said they observed Giovanni Cardona Parra, 44, driving a black BMW erratically before parking in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant.
Samantha Steinberg's sketches helped crack cold cases and catch fugitives, including the last of Miami's "Cocaine Cowboys."
Police released video of the operation, showing the vessel loaded with orange packages as well as four suspects with their faces blurred out.
Joan Murray reports the nearly 46,000 pounds of drugs were seized in 14 interdictions in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Colombian police apprehended a 40-year-old man attempting to smuggle several bags of cocaine concealed beneath a meticulously attached toupee.
Officials said a total of 111 bundles were found, containing 2,276 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of about $76 million.
Cocaine "is no worse than whiskey" and is only illegal because it comes from Latin America, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whose nation is the world's biggest cocaine producer and exporter.
