As part of actions against organized crime in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific Ocean, US authorities seized more than a ton of cocaine during a counter-drug operation conducted by the Coast Guard Coast Guard.

The seizure was carried out by Coast Guard Cutter Alert and occurred in the Windward Passage, where US agents intercepted a speedboat with 2,250 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $18.4 million.

Four individuals aboard the vessel were also apprehended and turned over, along with the drugs, to Bahamian authorities for processing, according to a Coast Guard statement.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert subsequently returned to its homeport at Cape Canaveral after completing a 45-day counter-narcotics patrol in the Windward Passage, the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

“I am immensely proud of the unwavering dedication of my crew,” stated Commander Mario Gil, commanding officer of the Alert.

“The time spent with family and the loss of vacations represents a significant sacrifice, which makes it even more commendable.” “Even more commendable is its commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and the protection of our nation's borders from illicit drug trafficking, as demonstrated by the extraordinary success of this patrol,” he added. The Alert is a 210-foot medium-endurance vessel, and its primary missions are counter-narcotics operations, interdiction of foreign migrants, protection of living marine resources, and search and rescue in support of US Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.