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U.S. Seizes $500M in Cocaine in Major Blow to Mexican Cartels

Federal agencies announce a record 45,000-pound cocaine bust at Port Everglades, disrupting CJNG and Sinaloa cartel operations.

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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel walk past pallets of shrink-wrapped narcotics and a drone used in the investigations as they arrive for a news conference on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Port Everglades held to announce the seizure of more than $509 million in illegal narcotics weighing more than 48,400 pounds. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel  joined the U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday after 48,400 pounds of drugs were offloaded at Port Everglades. The narcotics are worth about $510 million, the USCG said. (AP file/Ben Curtis)
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Overview

  • The Department of Justice and U.S. Coast Guard seized 45,000 pounds of cocaine valued at over $500 million during an 11-day operation at Port Everglades, Florida.
  • The operation targeted the CJNG and Sinaloa cartels, marking a significant disruption to their drug trafficking networks.
  • Eleven individuals were arrested in connection with the seizure and will face federal drug trafficking charges.
  • The interdiction involved advanced tactics, including the use of drones, aircraft, and naval assets, showcasing enhanced interagency coordination.
  • Officials emphasized this as part of a broader U.S. strategy to dismantle cartel infrastructure and combat the growing public health crisis linked to illicit drugs.