Authorities Find $14.7M in Cocaine Hidden in Truck in Florida
Introduction to the Bust
Officials intercepted millions of dollars worth of cocaine traveling to South Florida from Mexico during a traffic stop on Florida’s Turnpike, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. According to officials, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s West Palm Beach office alerted Florida Highway Patrol “to intelligence regarding a semi-truck suspected of transporting narcotics from the Mexican-Texas border into South Florida.”
The Traffic Stop and Discovery
On Oct. 5, DEA and FHP officers stopped a vehicle going southbound on the Turnpike. “During the inspection, troopers discovered a concealed trap door containing multiple duffel bags filled with cocaine,” a news release from the office of Lt. Governor Jay Collins reads.
Details of the Seizure
The suspects were reportedly detained and taken into federal custody for further investigation and prosecution. Officials said one of them was previously deported from the United States. Their names were not immediately released. The vehicle was carrying around 173 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $14.7 million, authorities said.
Reaction from Authorities
Officials credited Florida’s commitment to stopping the flow of drugs and the state’s alignment with federal priorities in the news release. “With the southern border shut down, transnational narco cartels can no longer simply walk across the border with guns, drugs, and human couriers,” Executive Director Dave Kerner said in the release. “This forces cartels to attempt to move large amounts of narcotics in a way that allows the full weight of law enforcement efforts to not just interdict, but to investigate the supply chain back to their point of origin. Ultimately, a secure border allows us to target the ultimate source of evil; the criminal cartels and the resources they rely upon.”
Past Efforts and Successes
Additionally, authorities said that since 2019, FHP has recovered over 14,000 kilograms of illegal narcotics, including 925 kilograms of cocaine, 23.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 14 kilograms of heroin, 9,600 kilograms of marijuana, and 19 kilograms of MDMA. “Our message to drug traffickers is clear: do not bring your poison into our state. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will always stand on the front lines to protect Floridians from those who threaten our safety and our future,” Lt. Gov. Jay Collins says in the release.
Recent Related Activities
The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded nearly 5 tons of seized cocaine worth over $73 million at Port Everglades following a drug interdiction near Ecuador.
Conclusion
The seizure of $14.7 million worth of cocaine in a truck on Florida’s Turnpike highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking. The collaboration between the DEA and FHP underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in disrupting the supply chains of narcotics. As Florida continues to bolster its stance against drug trafficking, the message to cartels and traffickers is clear: the state will not tolerate the influx of illegal drugs.
FAQs
- Q: What was the estimated street value of the cocaine seized?
- A: The estimated street value of the cocaine seized was $14.7 million.
- Q: How much cocaine was seized in total?
- A: The vehicle was carrying around 173 kilograms of cocaine.
- Q: What is the stance of Florida against drug traffickers?
- A: Florida’s message to drug traffickers is clear: do not bring your poison into our state. The state will find, arrest, and stand against those who threaten safety and the future.
- Q: How successful have past efforts been in recovering illegal narcotics?
- A: Since 2019, FHP has recovered over 14,000 kilograms of illegal narcotics, including significant amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, and MDMA.
Officials announce the drug trafficking bust.
- A: Since 2019, FHP has recovered over 14,000 kilograms of illegal narcotics, including significant amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, and MDMA.
