Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

When U.S. Coast Guard members boarded a vessel for a routine safety inspection Tuesday they weren’t expecting to behold the largest illegal haul of cocaine their station had seen since the 1990s — more than 3,500 pounds of white powder worth about $28 million.

“This was the largest USCG Small boat station cocaine seizure since 1995,” said Lt. Matthew Ross, Coast Guard Station Miami Beach commanding officer. “Protecting our maritime borders from illicit drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations remains one of our highest priorities.”

On Tuesday, crew members from U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach were patrolling the waters near Government Cut when they made contact with the “Best Bet,” a 65-foot sports fishing vessel.

Aboar

See Full Page