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  4. CBP's Enforcement Efforts Lead to String of Cocaine Seizures Along Miami River

CBP's Enforcement Efforts Lead to String of Cocaine Seizures Along Miami River

Release Date
Thu, 12/21/2017

MIAMI — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have seized six vessels and thousands of pounds of cocaine over the last three years as part of an aggressive enforcement program designed to disrupt illicit trafficking along the Miami River.

CBP officers discovered approximately 195 pounds of cocaine aboard a fishing vessel during an inspection along the Miami River this summer and more than 2,000 pounds aboard a freighter in May 2016 welded into the decking plate.

CBP works closely with law enforcement partners in Florida.
CBP works closely with law
enforcement partners in Florida.

“As America’s unified border agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection plays a critical role in efforts to combat the flow of dangerous illicit drugs from entering through South Florida waterways and harming local communities,” said Miami Seaport Port Director Dylan J. DeFrancisci. “We’ll continue to refine and further enhance the effectiveness of our detection and interdiction capabilities along with our network of local, state, federal and international partners.”

Interdicting drugs at and in between our Ports of Entry, leveraging targeting and intelligence-driven strategies, and working with partners to combat Drug Trafficking Organizations are key components of CBP’s multi-layered, risk-based approach to enhance the security of our borders.

CBP is the lead agency for preventing drug trafficking through airports, seaports, and land ports of entry and plays a significant role in the national drug control strategy. On a typical day in Fiscal Year 2016, CBP seized over 7,900 pounds of drugs.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in Florida include travel and trade facilitation and securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border. To follow the latest CBP enforcement efforts in Florida, visit @CBPFlorida on Twitter.

Watch this video to learn more about CBP and its tremendously complex and important mission.

Download U.S. Customs and Border Protection stock footage from DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: May 17, 2021