Coast Guard offloads $47 million in cocaine seized in Caribbean

Image 1 of 5

The United States Coast Guard is celebrating what they call a major win in the war on drugs.

Lt. Nathan Zinn said officers confiscated $47 million worth of cocaine during two busts off the coast of Puerto Rico.

The haul arrived at Sector St. Pete for disposal Friday morning. The Coast Guard Cutter Tampa made the delivery shortly before 11 a.m.

The Coast Guard said the cocaine was seized during Operation Unified Resolve and Operation Martillo between December 20-22. 

Zinn says the impact of this bust will be felt far and wide.

"Not only is that 1,500 kilos [is] not on the streets anymore,” Zinn said. “It also impacts by bringing stability to South and Central American countries where this cocaine is produced and distributed through."

The Cutter Tampa’s crew, who are actually based in Virginia, will be in Tampa Saturday for a memorial service dedicated to the USS Tampa.

The USS Tampa was destroyed by a German submarine during World War One. 131 souls on board were killed, including 24 sailors from Tampa.