U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes Over 400 Pounds of Cocaine at Port Everglades

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.— U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 417 pounds of cocaine on board a sailboat at Port Everglades on Monday. The estimated street value of the drugs is millions of dollars.

CBP officers detected anomalies during an inspection of the vessel. CBP officers discovered two locations in the sailboat’s keel with more than 80 bricks containing a white, powdery substance. The substance field-tested positive for cocaine and evidence has been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The sailboat has been moved for further inspection.

“CBP works closely with a far-reaching network of law enforcement partners and is committed to combating the flow of illicit drugs before it reaches local communities,” said Port Everglades Port Director Dylan J. DeFrancisci. “This is another example of the dedication and vigilance of CBP officers—continually refining and enhancing the effectiveness of detection and interdiction capabilities.”

CBP’s Office of Field Operations in Florida

CBP is the lead agency for preventing drug trafficking through airports, seaports, and land ports of entry and plays a significant role in the national drug control strategy. On a typical day in Fiscal Year 2018, CBP seized over 4,650 pounds of drugs. As a result of CBP’s all-threats mission, CBP officers frequently interdict drug-smuggling attempts and locate hidden contraband such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana.

CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit drugs, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety, security and economic vitality. Watch this video to learn more about CBP and its tremendously complex and important mission.

CBP leverages targeting and intelligence-driven strategies as part of a multi-layered, risk-based approach to enhance the security of our borders.

CBP’s Office of Field Operations in Florida includes more than 2,700 front-line federal officers, agricultural specialists, trade and mission support personnel securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border and providing international travel and trade facilitation. The Miami Field Office encompasses five ports that stretch over 313 miles of Florida coastline, within which there are five seaports, including the top two cruise ship ports in the world; and nine airports, with Miami International Airport (MIA) ranking as the second busiest international airport among U.S. airports.

The Tampa Field Office encompasses the Area Ports of Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.  Both Field Offices also provide support to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Associate Chief Counsel, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the South Florida Federal Executive Board, and numerous other governmental agencies.