The USCGC Tampa crew offloads the 1,7 tons in drugs in Port Everglades.
Archive image: VALPARAISO, CHILE (September 5, 2024) An MH-60R, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 «Valkyries» takes off from the flight deck of the littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS 19) during UNITAS LXV, September 5, 2024.
UNITAS is the longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world, focused on enhanced interoperability in maritime and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and to create new relationships that will promote peace, stability, and prosperity. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime component of U.S. Southern Command and the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter S. Harwell.
MIAMI – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Tampa ended Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale with the offload of approximately 1,7 tons (3,750 pounds) of cocaine and marijuana, worth an estimated $12.3 million, at Port Everglades. Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
The seized contraband was the result of two interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the crew of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and their embarked Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from HSM-50 ‘Valkyries‘ and Coast Guard law enforcement detachments.
“We train diligently and stand ready to execute interdiction missions at moment’s notice,” said Cmdr. Steven Fresse, Minneapolis-Saint Paul commanding officer. “To be able to make an immediate impact so early on during our maiden deployment is a testament to the hard work and skills of the ship’s crew.”
The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:
- USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21)
- U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South, LEDET 406
- Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South)
- Coast Guard 7th District command center watchstanders
“Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale was a great opportunity for our Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps crews to showcase our sea services to communities here in South Florida,” said Cmdr. Walter Krolman, Tampa commanding officer. “Today’s offload demonstrates the value of our collaborative joint force operations far out to sea in protecting and defending Americans here at home from threats abroad.”
Detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. Joint Interagency Task Force-South, in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard 7th District (Southeast), headquartered in Miami.
–USCG–
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