Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents intersected a "suspicious" water vessel heading to Florida on January 5 and seized more than 400 pounds of cocaine, per U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe. Two Bahamian nationals who were on the vessel have been charged.
At approximately 11 a.m., AMO agents spotted the vessel as it traveled to the Port Everglades Inlet, a key waterway located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "The agents responded and launched multiple Coastal Interceptor Vessels (CIV) to stop the approaching vessel," wrote Lapointe in a written statement.
After the drug-carrying vessel was intercepted, authorities escorted it to a nearby harbor for an inspection, during which agents discovered around 400 pounds of "individually wrapped bricks of cocaine" hidden within the vessel.
The Bahamian nationals who attempted to smuggle the drugs into the United States have been identified as Alfred Lynton Laing and Runo Traveeno Laing. Both men are scheduled to be arraigned on January 21.
Drug trafficking into Florida via maritime vessels remains a significant concern. In October 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard offloaded more than 33,200 pounds of cocaine and 12,400 pounds of marijuana, worth approximately $448 million, at Port Everglades.
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