Cocaine Coast: How Florida Beaches Became Drug Smuggling Hotspots - Spotify Vibes

Florida Beaches Become Hotspots for Cocaine Wash-Ups

Florida, known for its sunny beaches and tourist attractions, has recently seen a surge of cocaine wash-ups along its coastlines. According to the U.S. Border Patrol, over 350 pounds of cocaine worth more than $12 million have been seized from various beaches in the state since July 2023.

The most recent case occurred on October 2, 2023, when a beachgoer discovered 67 pounds of cocaine wrapped in 30 packages that had washed up on the shore of Ormond-by-the Sea, a town in Volusia County. The drugs had an estimated street value of around $970,000, according to U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Walter Slosar.

The Volusia Sheriff's Office said the cocaine was found by someone who was walking on the beach in the area of 2900 North the Beach. The person contacted the authorities, who then turned the drugs over to the Border Patrol agents.

Slosar said that the increase in cocaine wash-ups indicated the presence of smugglers operating along the Florida coast. He added that the Border Patrol agents and the local law enforcement agencies were working together to prevent the drugs from reaching the communities.

"These recent seizures represent hundreds of pounds of narcotics that will not make it into our streets or into our communities," Slosar said in a statement to CNN. "We are grateful for the community's support to our border security mission here in Florida."

This was not the first time that cocaine was found on a Florida beach this year. In August, a person on the beach in Hollywood, Florida, just south of Fort Lauderdale, found 30 packages of cocaine weighing approximately 78 pounds with an estimated value of over $1 million. The packages were also turned over to the Border Patrol agents.

In July, a wildlife manager who was searching for sea turtles at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station beach stumbled upon 24 packages of cocaine weighing nearly 30 kilograms and worth nearly $1.2 million. The cocaine was seized by the Space Launch Delta 45 Public Affairs Office, which said it was the largest drug find in recent memory at the station.

In December 2021, a Good Samaritan who was boating in the Florida Keys spotted a large black package floating in the water and reported it to the authorities. The package contained 65 pounds of cocaine worth up to $1.3 million, according to U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Thomas Martin.

The cocaine wash-ups are believed to be the result of drug traffickers dumping their cargo into the ocean when they encounter law enforcement or bad weather, or when their vessels malfunction. The drugs then drift with the currents and tides until they reach the shore.

Florida has a long history of being a major entry point for cocaine and other illicit drugs from South America and the Caribbean. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida accounted for 40% of all cocaine seizures in the U.S. in 2019.

The cocaine wash-ups pose a threat to the public health and safety, as well as the environment and wildlife of the state. The authorities urge anyone who finds suspicious packages on the beach to contact 911 or the Border Patrol and not to touch or open them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Florida has witnessed a spike of cocaine wash-ups along its beaches in recent months, indicating the presence of drug smugglers operating in the area. The authorities have seized over 350 pounds of cocaine worth more than $12 million from various locations since July 2023. The cocaine wash-ups pose a serious threat to the public health and safety, as well as the environment and wildlife of the state. The authorities urge anyone who finds suspicious packages on the beach to contact 911 or the Border Patrol and not to touch or open them.

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