Coast Guard Nabs Nearly 963 lbs. of Cocaine

MIAMI -- The Coast Guard intercepted nearly 936 pounds of cocaine from a vessel about 21 miles south of Isla de Providencia, Colombia, Sept. 17, 2010.

While conducting a law-enforcement patrol, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba located a suspicious 35-foot center-console vessel. The suspects aboard the vessel jettisoned the contraband then beached the vessel and fled on foot, evading capture. Escanaba crewmemebers retrieved 15 bales and two backpacks containing nearly 936 pounds of cocaine from the water.

The contraband was transferred to U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agents Friday at Base Support Unit Miami.

During fiscal year 2010, the Coast Guard has intercepted nearly 36,460 pounds of cocaine.

The cutter Escanaba is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Boston.

Photo: MIAMI - Ensign Raynor Buckley, a crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, offloads a bale of cocaine at Base Support Unit Miami Sept. 24, 2010. The Escanaba crew intercepted nearly 936 pounds of cocaine from a vessel about 21 miles south of Providencia, Colombia, Sept. 17, 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal. USCG Media Release