Executive Assistant Commissioner Jonathan P. Miller, Air and Marine Operations | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
A joint operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations, and Homeland Security Investigations resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,715 pounds of cocaine near Miami Beach on December 2. The drugs, valued at an estimated $28 million, were discovered aboard a suspected smuggling vessel located about two miles east of Government Cut.
The initial interdiction was carried out by a law enforcement boat crew from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach. CBP Air and Marine Operations supported the mission with additional marine units and specialized search equipment.
Lt. Matthew Ross, commanding officer at Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, commented on the significance of the event: “This was the largest USCG Small boat station cocaine seizure since 1995. Protecting our maritime borders from illicit drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations remains one of our highest priorities. The Coast Guard and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners remain vigilant in our shared efforts to keep our maritime borders safe by preventing illicit narcotics from reaching our communities.”
After bringing the vessel ashore, CBP’s Office of Field Operations Miami Seaport deployed a K9 team that identified multiple locations within the vessel containing narcotics. A subsequent search by AMO agents led to the discovery of over 1,000 concealed packages of cocaine weighing more than 3,700 pounds. Federal authorities took three individuals into custody.
Executive Director Andy Blanco from CBP Air and Marine Operations Southeast Region emphasized the collaborative effort: “Disrupting maritime narcotics smuggling like this demonstrates the power of teamwork in safeguarding our nation and holding criminals accountable. Smugglers should be warned that our whole-of-government team is watching, and they will be caught.”
The agencies involved stated their commitment to a comprehensive approach aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations involved in narco-trafficking and human smuggling operations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is described as America’s largest law enforcement organization responsible for protecting national security across land, air, and sea domains.
