Coast Guard Seizes Nearly $3 Million In Marijuana From Suspected Smuggling Vessel Offshore Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard seized nearly $3 million worth of marijuana from a suspected smuggling vessel in the Caribbean over the weekend, officials said.

The Coast Guard said that in coordination with the Bahamian government, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton and Royal Bahamian Defense Force crews boarded a suspected drug-smuggling vessel approximately 80 miles southwest of Great Inagua, Bahamas.

Crews discovered 97 bales of suspected marijuana on board. The marijuana weighed a total of 2,380 pounds and was valued at an estimated $2.8 million.

Three people on board the vessel were transferred to the Royal Bahamian Defense Force along with the narcotics for prosecution.

The interdiction was carried out with logistical support from the Coast Guard Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean, which delivers supplies and personnel to cutters at sea.

“This interdiction highlights the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to combating transnational organized crime in the region,” said Lt. Peter Fager, commanding officer, USCGC Charles Sexton. “Working together, we continue to disrupt illicit trafficking and protect the security and stability of our maritime borders.”