Unexpected Operation at Port Everglades: Unveiling a Major Drug Bust Outcome

U.S. Coast Guard boat speeding on water.

A massive drug seizure at Port Everglades has removed $509 million worth of narcotics from reaching American streets, as federal agencies collaborate to dismantle major trafficking networks linked to Mexican cartels.

Key Takeaways

FBI and Coast Guard intercepted 48,400 pounds of drugs worth $509 million, including 45,000 pounds of cocaine and 3,800 pounds of marijuana
The operation involved multiple agencies including FBI, DEA, Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and Homeland Security Investigations
Attorney General Pam Bondi attributed the shipments to Mexican cartels, specifically the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels
This marks the Coast Guard’s third major drug offload in South Florida in 2025
The seizure occurs amid a nationwide fentanyl crisis that claimed over 100,000 lives to overdoses in 2023

Historic Drug Seizure Demonstrates Interagency Success

In a significant blow to drug trafficking operations, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the seizure of 48,400 pounds of illegal narcotics valued at $509 million at Port Everglades, Florida. The massive haul included approximately 45,000 pounds of pure cocaine and 3,800 pounds of marijuana, representing one of the largest drug interdictions in recent history. The contraband was seized through 13 separate operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean by crews of the U.S. Coast Guard cutters James and Mohawk, using a combination of drones, aircraft, and ships off the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands.

The operation exemplifies the Trump administration’s “whole of government” approach to combating drug trafficking, involving coordination between the FBI, DEA, Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and Homeland Security Investigations. This collaborative effort highlights the administration’s commitment to treating narcotics trafficking as a serious national security threat. During the announcement, officials emphasized that this seizure represents just one part of ongoing operations targeting the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.

Targeting Mexican Cartels and Saving American Lives

Attorney General Pam Bondi directly connected the drug shipments to Mexican cartels, specifically identifying the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels as responsible parties. This revelation underscores the international dimensions of drug trafficking networks and the challenges faced by U.S. law enforcement in disrupting their operations. The Trump administration has taken the significant step of classifying these narco-traffickers as foreign terrorist organizations, reflecting the severity of the threat they pose to American security and public health.

“This is a textbook example of the Justice Department supporting the fight against violent crime. These drugs are worth over half a billion dollars. Almost 45,000 pounds of cocaine, pure cocaine, uncut, and 3,800 pounds of marijuana. Congratulations again to the Coast Guard, you have done admirable work.” – Pam Bondi

Vice Admiral Nathan Moore, who was present at the offload, emphasized the human impact of this operation, noting that the seizure likely saved hundreds of lives from potential cocaine-related overdose deaths. Bondi further highlighted that the interception of these drugs prevented their distribution throughout the United States and possibly around the world, potentially saving countless lives. The Department of Justice continues to prioritize drug mitigation as part of its broader strategy to reduce violent crime across the nation.

Operation’s Broader Context: The Fentanyl Crisis

This seizure comes amid an ongoing national crisis involving synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. In 2023, over 100,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids responsible for nearly 70% of these fatalities. Fentanyl overdose has emerged as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, creating an unprecedented public health emergency. The House of Representatives recently passed the HALT Fentanyl Act with bipartisan support, aiming to provide additional tools to combat the epidemic.

“There is no lethal force on planet Earth that is responsible for an overdose death of an American citizen every seven minutes more so than these foreign terrorist organizations.” – FBI Director Patel

The Port Everglades operation marks the Coast Guard’s third major drug offload in South Florida in 2025, following a previous interdiction on March 20 that yielded nearly 46,000 pounds of drugs worth over $517.5 million. These consistent successes demonstrate the ongoing commitment of federal agencies to disrupting drug trafficking networks. FBI Director Patel reinforced this commitment, stating that law enforcement will continue their efforts to remove drugs from streets and markets while ensuring cartel members face justice for their crimes against the American people.