The offloaded drugs were interdicted during nine separate cases in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as a result of efforts by crews from:
- USCG Bear (WMEC 901)
- USCG Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON)
- USS Little Rock (LCS-9)
- USCG Tactical Law Enforcement Team-Pacific
- USCG Tactical Law Enforcement Team-South
- USCG Donald Horsley (WPC-1117)
- USCG Air Station Borinquen HC-144 aircrew
- A U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircrew
Along with the illicit narcotics, 12 suspected smugglers were apprehended and face prosecution in federal courts by the Department of Justice.
Detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. The Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Florida conducts detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, headquartered in Miami.
Original source can be found here