FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A U.S. Coast Guard crew intercepted a boat near Port Everglades over the weekend, discovering more than 250 kilograms of cocaine smuggled from the Bahamas, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Authorities stopped a 36-foot Sea Ray named Bella Vita for a routine seaworthiness inspection as it entered the Port Everglades channel around 6:40 p.m. Saturday. Investigators identified the sole occupant as James Edward White, 35, of Miami Gardens.
During the inspection, officials found “multiple suitcases” in the boat’s downstairs living quarters. White admitted he was coming from the Bahamas and had drugs onboard, according to a U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent.
Authorities uncovered 253 individually wrapped bricks of cocaine, each weighing approximately 1 kilogram. Based on figures from Recovered.org, the estimated street value of the haul is around $7 million.
White allegedly told investigators he was “working for a known alien and narcotics smuggler” and was originally instructed to pick up migrants. However, when he arrived in Nassau, his boat was loaded with drugs instead. His intended destination was Nautical Ventures Marina at 4470 Anglers Ave. in Dania Beach.
White faces federal charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempting to import a controlled substance.
Jail records indicate White was being held at the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service. He was scheduled to make his initial court appearance in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Monday morning.
