Coast Guard offloads $55 million worth of cocaine, marijuana in St. Petersburg

Kaycee Sloan
·2 min read
Coast Guard offloads $55 million worth of cocaine, marijuana in St. Petersburg

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded over 10,000 pounds of drugs worth approximately $55 million in St. Petersburg on Monday following a 60-day counterdrug patrol.

According to a news release, Coast Guard Cutter Resolute (WMEC 620) and its partner agencies stopped two suspect drug trafficking ventures, preventing 6,565 pounds of marijuana and about 3,700 pounds of cocaine from entering the United States.

  • Vice Adm. Lunday, Commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, speaking with the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, Lt. Cmdr. Ross, on Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. Lunday and Ross discussed the events of the patrols and resulting drug interdictions. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
    Vice Adm. Lunday, Commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, speaking with the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, Lt. Cmdr. Ross, on Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. Lunday and Ross discussed the events of the patrols and resulting drug interdictions. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
  • A crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute standing watch over illegal narcotics, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. Armed Coast Guardsmen stand watch over interdicted drugs to ensure security and accountability of seized contraband. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
    A crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute standing watch over illegal narcotics, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. Armed Coast Guardsmen stand watch over interdicted drugs to ensure security and accountability of seized contraband. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
  • Crew of the Coast Guard Resolute unload interdicted narcotics on the pier, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. The drugs were forklifted onto trucks for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
    Crew of the Coast Guard Resolute unload interdicted narcotics on the pier, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. The drugs were forklifted onto trucks for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
  • Crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute saran wraps illegal narcotics on the helo deck, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. The drugs, once secured, are offloaded from the cutter and given to partner agencies for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
    Crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute saran wraps illegal narcotics on the helo deck, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. The drugs, once secured, are offloaded from the cutter and given to partner agencies for destruction. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
  • The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute pose in front of interdicted drugs, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. Drug interdiction is one of the 11 statutory missions of the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
    The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute pose in front of interdicted drugs, Jan. 29, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL. Drug interdiction is one of the 11 statutory missions of the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)

Six suspected traffickers were detained following the bust.

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“The pride and dedication of Resolute’s crew was evident throughout the entirety of our patrol,” said Cmdr. Matthew R. Kolodica, commanding officer of Resolute. “Despite being deployed throughout the holiday season, the crew served with professionalism. The result of their collected effort was an extremely successful patrol which kept $55 million of drugs from reaching its intended destination. Every Resolute sailor and their loved ones should be proud; they are a living example of the Coast Guard’s motto, ‘Semper Paratus – Always Ready.’ It is an honor to lead such a fine ship and crew.”

According to the Coast Guard, Resolute’s crew met with Panama’s National Aeronaval Service to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Panama and discuss strategies to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

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