MIAMI (WAVY) – Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, based in Jacksonville, Florida, helped prevent an estimated $141 million in illicit drugs from being smuggled into the U.S.

According to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Valiant’s crew returned to Coast Guard Base Miami Beach Thursday, March 6 to offload more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine seized as the result of six interdictions in the Caribbean Sea.

In addition to the drug seizure, 17 suspected smugglers were brought ashore to face prosecution in the U.S.

Video released by the Coast Guard shows one of the seizures at sea. A USCGC Valiant (WMEC 621) small boat crew interdicted a go-fast vessel approximately 50 miles northeast of the Dominican Republic on Feb. 17, 2025.

“These seizures are a testament to the Coast Guard’s continued dedication to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders,” said Lt. j.g. Jesus Martinez Borges, a Seventh Coast Guard District enforcement officer. “The Coast Guard and our partners work tirelessly to deny drug trafficking organizations access to smuggling routes bound for the United States. Our efforts contribute to federal investigations and prosecutions that further seek to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal activity abroad, which threaten Americans here at home.” 

The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:  

Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami.