By Staff
MIAMI – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Venturous offloaded approximately 5,300 pounds of cocaine and marijuana, valued at an estimated $14.1 million, on Friday at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach.
The seized contraband resulted from four interdictions conducted in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence and HNLMS Groningen, alongside an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment.
“Stopping harmful and illicit narcotics from reaching our shores and entering our communities is a team effort,” said Cmdr. Karen Kutkiewicz, the commanding officer of Venturous. “It requires the combined efforts of our Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and international partners to combat transnational criminal organizations.”
The following assets and crews participated in the interdiction operations:
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616)
- Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Groningen (P-843)
- U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) Pacific, LEDET 105
- Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S)
- Seventh Coast Guard District command center watchstanders
Detecting and intercepting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas requires significant interagency and international cooperation. The Joint Interagency Task Force-South, based in Key West, oversees the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, transferring control to the U.S. Coast Guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are carried out by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami.
Featured image: The crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Venturous pose before preparing to offload a pallet of illegal narcotics at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, May 2, 2025. The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crews of USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616) and HNLMS Groningen (P843) with an embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Walker)
