U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $2.8 Million Marijuana Shipment In Caribbean Operation Near Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard seized about 2,380 pounds of suspected marijuana worth an estimated $2.8 million after intercepting a suspected drug-smuggling vessel near the Bahamas.

The interception took place on Saturday about 80 miles southwest of Great Inagua, Bahamas.

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton, working alongside the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and supported by the Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean (HSC-Ocean), boarded the vessel and found 97 bales of suspected marijuana.

Three people on board were taken into custody and, along with the seized drugs, were handed over to the RBDF for further prosecution, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Bahamian government as part of ongoing efforts to detect, deter and stop illegal maritime trafficking across the Caribbean.

The seized drugs and the three detainees were offloaded at Coral Harbour, Bahamas, on Monday for judicial processing.

The Charles Sexton is a Sentinel-class fast response cutter based in Key West, Florida. It can travel at speeds of more than 28 knots and remain at sea for up to five days, making at-sea resupply an important part of extending its patrols.

The operation received logistical support from the HSC-Ocean initiative, launched in June 2026.

Under the programme, the Coast Guard contracts Bordelon Marine to operate a commercial vessel that delivers supplies and personnel directly to Coast Guard cutters at sea, allowing them to stay on patrol instead of returning to port.

According to the Coast Guard, the HSC-Ocean initiative strengthens its existing fleet by providing logistics support to high-demand, multi-mission cutters.

By resupplying vessels while they are underway, the programme helps Coast Guard assets remain on station longer and continue their missions without interruption.

Great Inagua, at the southern end of the Bahamas, lies along a long-established drug trafficking route linking Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas with southern Florida.

According to the reference information, between 10% and 15% of cocaine moved from South America to the United States has historically passed through this corridor.

The latest seizure is one of several Coast Guard counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean this year. In June, authorities detected an Ecuadorian drug boat carrying 3,960 pounds of marijuana.

In May, about 3,200 pounds of marijuana were seized off Haiti, while in April the USCGC Resolute offloaded more than 2,570 pounds of cocaine worth $19.3 million in Miami Beach.

The Coast Guard said it continues to work with U.S. interagency, international and regional partners to detect, deter and interdict illegal maritime trafficking while strengthening maritime security across the Caribbean.

According to the reference information, the largest drug seizure in U.S. Coast Guard history took place in August 2025, when more than 76,000 pounds of drugs worth $473 million were confiscated at Port Everglades.

Reference: USCG