US Coast Guard personnel offload about $1bn in cocaine and marijuana from the deck of cutter 'James' at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 17. AFP
US Coast Guard personnel offload about $1bn in cocaine and marijuana from the deck of cutter 'James' at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 17. AFP
US Coast Guard personnel offload about $1bn in cocaine and marijuana from the deck of cutter 'James' at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 17. AFP
US Coast Guard personnel offload about $1bn in cocaine and marijuana from the deck of cutter 'James' at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 17. AFP

US Coast Guard seizes $1bn worth of Colombian narcotics


  • English
  • Arabic

A US Coast Guard vessel on Thursday offloaded more than 30 tonnes of cocaine and marijuana reportedly worth more than $1 billion, which was seized at sea during a months-long operation off the coast of South America.

The haul of illegal narcotics taken home by the US Coast Guard cutter James was one of the biggest in recent memory, using sophisticated equipment that includes powerful drones and infrared cameras that can detect heat from small cocaine-filled vessels.

But it also highlights a recent surge in narcotics coming from Colombia, a close US ally and the world’s top producer of cocaine.

The Biden administration’s top anti-narcotics officials travelled to South Florida to welcome back the ship's crew and promote the Coast Guard’s role in intercepting drugs before they reach American streets.

“We are hitting the drug traffickers where it hits them most: their pocketbooks,” said Dr Rahul Gupta, head of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Dr Gupta said the Biden administration was seeking to increase the US government’s budget to build up the nation’s addiction treatment and reduce the supply of synthetic opioids including fentanyl, and other drugs.

But the record seizures of late by the Coast Guard, federal law enforcement and partner nations also underscores how little the flow of cocaine coming from Latin America has eased since president Richard Nixon declared war on drugs a half century ago.

Coca cultivation in Colombia in 2020 soared to 245,000 hectares, enough to produce 1,010 tonnes of cocaine, according to the White House’s latest report on harvesting trends in the Andean region.

As recently as 2014, potential production was less than half that amount. Production in Peru and Bolivia has also steadily risen.

Admiral Karl Schultz, the US Coast Guard commander, said those numbers would be even higher, and the destabilising effect on the region from transnational criminal organisations greater, if not for the US interception efforts.

“Does it matter? It absolutely matters because it kind of keeps a lid on things,” Admiral Schulz said.

His comments were echoed by Ambassador Todd Robinson, who leads the State Department’s bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

“It’s not just always about seizures,” said Mr Robinson, who had served as the US’s top diplomat in Guatemala and Venezuela, two major transit zones for Colombian cocaine.

“It’s also about building our partners’ capacity.”

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

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Tales of Yusuf Tadros

Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

Doucoure 90'

The biog

Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer

Marital status: Single

Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran

Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food

Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish

Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com

RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE

Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1

Updated: February 17, 2022, 10:34 PM