Pallets of interdicted contraband are staged at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sept. 21, 2026. The Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba crew offloaded the interdicted contraband before it was transferred to partnering agency. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba offloaded approximately $57 million worth of illegal drugs at Port Everglades, Fla., Monday, according to a service news release.
The haul included approximately 7,250 pounds of cocaine and 2,082 pounds of marijuana, which were seized while on patrol in the Caribbean Sea, the release said.
“The excellent watchstanding, and quick, crucial decisions enabled success in this interdiction,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Strong, a boatswain’s mate assigned to Escanaba.
Escanaba was assisted by other Coast Guard cutters, embarked law enforcement personnel and interagency partners during the interdiction operations.
“It was a textbook team effort that ensured over 2,000 pounds of illicit narcotics never made it into our communities. Thanks to the crews of Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon and Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean for their partnership — one team one fight,” Strong said.
A Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba small boat crew transfers seized narcotics to the cutter while underway off Haiti, Aug. 29, 2026. Escanaba’s crew and additional Coast Guard units recovered 2,082 pounds of marijuana during the interdiction. (U.S. Coast Guard)
Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba sinks a drug smuggling vessel off Haiti, Aug. 29, 2026. Escanaba’s crew and additional Coast Guard units recovered 2,082 pounds of marijuana during the interdiction. (U.S. Coast Guard)
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