U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Partners Seize Two Vessels Carrying $5.6 Million in Cocaine Off Florida Coast

Two suspected smuggling vessels intercepted near Port Everglades during multi-agency operation

U.S. COAST GUARD – A coordinated maritime law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Coast Guard resulted in the seizure of two suspected drug-smuggling vessels and approximately 745 pounds of cocaine, valued at an estimated $5.6 million, off the coast of Fort Lauderdale this week.

According to Coast Guard officials, a U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale law enforcement boat crew, working alongside officers from Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations and agents with Homeland Security Investigations, interdicted the vessels during two separate incidents near Port Everglades.

The first interdiction occurred on Monday in the vicinity of the Fort Lauderdale sea buoy. Coast Guard personnel, supported by CBP Office of Field Operations officers and a K9 unit, stopped a vessel suspected of narcotics trafficking.

A subsequent search led to the discovery and seizure of a large quantity of cocaine.

A second interdiction took place on Wednesday when a Station Fort Lauderdale law enforcement crew stopped another suspected smuggling vessel approximately seven miles east of Port Everglades.

Additional illicit narcotics were located during that operation, bringing the total seizure from both cases to roughly 745 pounds of cocaine.
Lt. Justin Dadlani, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, praised the efforts of the crews and partner agencies involved.

“The Coast Guard is in the business of saving lives, and every kilogram of these drugs kept off our streets represents lives saved,” Dadlani said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the professionalism of the crew and our continued partnerships with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.”

Officials emphasized that the operation reflects a broader, whole-of-government approach to maritime and border security.

By combining resources and expertise, federal agencies aim to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations involved in narco-trafficking and other illicit activities, including human smuggling.

The seized narcotics and vessels were taken into federal custody. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about the suspects or potential charges, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Coast Guard Southeast District said operations like these underscore the importance of interagency cooperation in keeping dangerous drugs from reaching U.S. communities while maintaining safety and security along South Florida’s busy maritime corridors.

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