Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma Seizes and Offloads 10,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Florida

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The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Tahoma offloaded approximately 10,000 pounds of seized cocaine at Port Everglades, Florida, on Tuesday, following a major drug interdiction effort in international waters off the coast of South America. The illegal narcotics, seized on June 24, carry an estimated street value of $73.7 million.

According to a press release from the USCG, the interdiction occurred roughly 120 miles northwest of Ecuador. The Tahoma crew intercepted the shipment during a maritime counter-narcotics patrol, acting under the authority of international law and in coordination with U.S. partners. Cmdr. Nolan Cuevas, commanding officer of Tahoma, praised his crew’s conduct during the operation. “They executed this interdiction with precision and professionalism,” Cuevas stated. “Behind every successful deployment is a dedicated team of logistics and support personnel.”

Support for the operation extended beyond Tahoma’s crew. Personnel from the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team, the Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) in Houston, and the 11th Coast Guard District contributed to the interdiction. Additionally, the Joint Interagency Task Force South, a multi-agency task force responsible for coordinated counter-drug operations, provided critical support.

The Tahoma, a Famous-class medium endurance cutter based in Newport, Rhode Island, plays a key role in maritime law enforcement, drug interdiction, and homeland security missions. The vessel’s recent success highlights the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the flow of narcotics through international waters before they can reach U.S. shores.

The offload marks another significant victory in the United States’ multi-agency fight against drug trafficking, underscoring the importance of maritime enforcement and international cooperation in combating transnational criminal networks.