The Coast Guard has seized $63 million worth of cocaine on the high seas after a deadly shooting.
The dramatic operation, led by the United States Coast Guard and the Royal Netherlands Navy, led to the recovery of 4,800 pounds of cocaine from a ship in a Florida port.
The Coast Guard posted a social media post showing officers from both agencies unloading large sealed containers from the ship onto pallets at Port Everglades in Florida.
The Coast Guard has seized $63 million worth of cocaine on the high seas after a deadly shooting
The dramatic operation, led by the United States Coast Guard and the Royal Netherlands Navy, led to the recovery of 4,800 pounds of cocaine from a ship in a Florida port.
According to a press release, the crew opened fire on the suspected smugglers when the “non-compliant vessel” abruptly changed course and barreled toward them at high speed.
Thursday’s seizure was the result of a joint operation between the two agencies, including two actions off the coast of Puerta Cabello, Venezuela, the Coast Guard said in a social media post.
The team engaged a high-speed vessel in the Caribbean Sea believed to be smuggling narcotics, a Coast Guard spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.
The ship refused orders to stop and instead increased speed and changed direction towards the Dutch pursuit ship.
The ship’s members of the Dutch and U.S. Coast Guard opened fire on the ship in self-defense, U.S. Coast Guard officials said.
The ship caught fire and sank. Three suspected smugglers fell overboard.
According to a press release, the crew opened fire on the suspected smugglers when the “offending vessel” abruptly changed course and barreled toward them at high speed.
It was the second time the joint operation this week attacked a ship believed to be carrying drugs.
The search for the smugglers was called off Tuesday, authorities said.
The press release emphasized that the actions of the American and Dutch sailors were taken in self-defense and to protect others in the face of imminent danger.
It was the second time the joint operation dealt with a ship believed to be carrying drugs this week.