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Miami Beach, FL - The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded over 12,471 pounds of narcotics in Miami Beach after intercepting them in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday.
The illegal drugs, seized by the Cutter Valiant, have an estimated street value of $141 million.
The Cutter Valiant is now docked at the Coast Guard base in Miami Beach, where the narcotics were unloaded.
According to USCG Machinery Technician Colton Howell, the seizures were made over the past two months during routine patrols.
"We were able to intercept suspected drug smugglers and their contraband, bringing it back to port for proper disposal," Howell explained.
NBC6 crews on site captured footage of multiple pallets loaded with suspicious packages, including brown pouches, colorful wraps, and white plastic-wrapped bundles.
"The significance of these seizures is clear: the drugs won’t make it into the U.S., and they won’t affect American communities," Howell stated.
The operation was the result of six coordinated interdictions involving multiple agencies.
Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard Valiant, U.S. Coast Guard Joseph Doyle, Royal Netherlands Navy HNLMS Groningen, Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Harry DeWolf, U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations all participated in the effort.
The intercepted drugs will now undergo testing to assist with filing charges against the suspects involved, although further details on the detainees are not yet available.