The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland offloaded approximately 2,220 pounds of cocaine and 3,320 pounds of marijuana—estimated to be worth $20.1 million—on Wednesday at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach.
The haul was the result of four successful interdictions in the Caribbean Sea, carried out by a multinational effort involving the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS William Hall and the Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS Friesland, each with U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachments onboard.
“Stopping harmful and illicit narcotics from reaching our shores and entering our communities is a team effort,” said Cmdr. Brian Gismervik, commanding officer of the Northland. “In the dynamic maritime environment, it takes the combined efforts of our joint force—DoD, DHS, and international partners—to combat transnational criminal organizations.”
The operations included coordinated efforts from multiple agencies and units:
-
HMCS William Hall (Royal Canadian Navy)
-
HNLMS Friesland (Royal Netherlands Navy)
-
USS Cole (U.S. Navy)
-
U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, LEDET 404
-
U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific, LEDET 103
- Advertisement -
-
Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville
-
Seventh Coast Guard District staff
These interdictions were guided by the Joint Interagency Task Force-South, based in Key West, which oversees the detection and monitoring of illicit drug movements by air and sea. Once interdiction is imminent, the U.S. Coast Guard assumes control of the operation, handling the apprehension and seizure phases.
All interdictions in the Caribbean fall under the authority of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami.
USCGC Northland is a 270-foot Reliance-class medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia, operating under the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.
