Marijuana worth almost $1 million The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant offloaded more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., Wednesday, that was interdicted at sea Jan. 18.While on a routine patrol, the crew of the Vigilant located a 30-foot go-fast vessel with multiple fuel drums on deck and five persons aboardin the western Caribbean SeaJan. 18. The Vigilant crew launched their smallboat to pursue the go-fast vessel. During the westbound pursuit, crewmembers witnessed personnel aboard the go-fast jettison multiple bales into the water.Two Costa Rican smallboat crews launched to assist. However, the go-fast crew was able to beach the vesselin Costa Rica, and flee on foot evading capture.The crew of the Vigilant was able to recover 40 bales and 15 bricks of marijuana worth almost $1 million.The contraband was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)in Key West Wednesday. Special agents assigned to ICE HSI marine smuggling investigative group continue the investigation.The Vigilant is a 210-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Port Canaveral, Fla.Source: USCG
Read more