Coast Guard seizes $500 million drug shipment in the Pacific

The U.S. Coast Guard unloaded nearly 26,250 pounds of cocaine and nearly 3,700 pounds of marijuana at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Monday. The drugs were collected over days from eight operations in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean.

The drugs unloaded from the vessel “Hamilton” were valued at $504 million. Dozens of suspects were arrested in the operations.

“Every kilo of cocaine on this flight deck represents a life saved, a crime prevented, and money denied for criminal organizations,” said Capt. Matthew Brown of the Hamilton.

"This is a victory for America's security and for those who have the same vision as we do," he continued.

The commanding officer of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Vice Admiral Steven Poulin, said that “drug trafficking organizations undermine the rule of law. They cause corruption, promote violence, and weaken institutions.”

The intercepted drugs weighed more than 12 metric tons. “This is a large interception,” Poulin added.

Traffickers take extreme risks while sailing the high seas, even operating their overweight vessels at night, authorities claim.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez was present at the event where details of the operations were provided.