The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, has played a crucial role in preventing the smuggling of approximately $141 million in illegal narcotics into the United States.
As reported by the U.S. Coast Guard in a recent press release, the crew of the Valiant returned to Coast Guard Base Miami Beach on Thursday, March 6, to offload over 12,000 pounds of cocaine obtained through six separate interdictions in the Caribbean Sea.
Alongside the drug confiscation, authorities apprehended 17 individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling activities, who will be prosecuted in the U.S.
Footage released by the Coast Guard illustrates one of the maritime seizures. On February 17, 2025, a small boat crew from USCGC Valiant (WMEC 621) intercepted a high-speed vessel roughly 50 miles northeast of the Dominican Republic.
“These operations demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the Coast Guard to protect America by securing our maritime borders,” stated Lt. j.g. Jesus Martinez Borges, an enforcement officer with the Seventh Coast Guard District. “Together with our partners, we diligently work to obstruct drug trafficking organizations from accessing smuggling routes leading to the United States. Our initiatives support federal investigations and prosecutions aimed at disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal enterprises that pose threats to Americans domestically.”
The following assets and personnel were engaged in these interdiction efforts:
– U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621)
– U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle (WPC 1133)
– Royal Netherlands Navy HNLMS Groningen (P 843)
– Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Harry DeWolf (430)
– U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South
– U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP-AMO)
– Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South)
– U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan
– Seventh Coast Guard District
Interdiction operations in the Caribbean Sea are conducted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the jurisdiction and oversight of the Seventh Coast Guard District, which is based in Miami.
