US Coast Guard and Royal Netherlands Navy Seize $63 Million Worth of Cocaine in Joint Operation

In a collaborative effort, the US Coast Guard and Royal Netherlands Navy recovered 4,800 pounds of cocaine worth over $63 million from a vessel at a Florida port. The seizure followed operations near Venezuela's coast and involved a high-speed pursuit in the Caribbean Sea, culminating in a dramatic vessel interception.

In a major drug bust, the US Coast Guard and the Royal Netherlands Navy seized 4,800 pounds (2,177 kilograms) of cocaine valued at over USD 63 million from a vessel docked at a Florida port. The seizure, which took place on Thursday, was the result of coordinated actions by the two agencies, who carried out operations off the coast of Puerta Cabello, Venezuela.

Images posted on social media showed officers from both forces offloading large sealed containers onto pallets at Port Everglades, marking the second such operation within the week. Earlier, the joint team confronted a high-speed vessel in the Caribbean Sea suspected of smuggling narcotics. The vessel ignored orders to stop, prompting a chase that ended with the boat catching fire and sinking after shots were fired by the Dutch and US Coast Guard in self-defense.

Authorities reported that three suspected smugglers went overboard, but a subsequent search for them was suspended. This operation underscores the ongoing international efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

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