A boarding team from the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous and a helicopter crew from the USS Billings successfully intercepted a suspicious vessel last Thursday. This operation took place roughly eight nautical miles off the coast of Mole Saint-Nicolas in northwestern Haiti, targeting a suspected drug trafficking operation.
With explicit consent from the Haitian government, the operation led to the discovery of around 3,200 pounds of marijuana, estimated to be worth $3.8 million, according to an official statement from the Coast Guard.
During the operation, one individual was detained on suspicion of drug smuggling.
The seized cargo and the suspect were handed over to Haitian authorities last Sunday.
The statement provided a significant clarification, noting that the boarding team belonged to the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous through the Law Enforcement Detachment 405 (LEDET 405), rather than solely to the USS Billings, although the helicopter crew was indeed from the Navy ship.
The operation also included participation from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48, the Joint Interagency Task Force South based in Key West, and the Coast Guard Seventh District watchstanders in Miami.
Lieutenant Commander Cory Arsenault, the Coast Guard liaison officer for Haiti, praised the scope of the bilateral collaboration: “In close coordination with the Haitian government, the U.S. Coast Guard remains committed to our shared mission of safeguarding the maritime avenues of the Caribbean.”
“Together, we are strengthening joint operations to disrupt the illicit flow of narcotics, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold the security and stability of the region,” Arsenault added.
Mole Saint-Nicolas is strategically situated in the Windward Passage, a maritime corridor between Haiti and Cuba that serves as a major drug trafficking route to the United States.
Haiti is currently facing a severe security crisis, with gangs controlling up to 90% of Port-au-Prince and substantial areas of the country, facilitating its use as a transit point for regional drug trafficking, according to the Department of State's 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.
The interception aligns with the intensified U.S. counter-narcotics strategy in the Caribbean under the Trump administration, which includes Operation Southern Spear, launched in November 2025, and the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the region.
Marco Rubio has also advocated for a regional crackdown on drug trafficking as part of this broader strategy.
The U.S. Coast Guard emphasizes that 80% of drug interdictions bound for the United States occur at sea, underscoring the critical role of maritime operations in curtailing the flow of narcotics into the country.
Understanding the Caribbean Drug Interdiction Efforts
Why is the U.S. Coast Guard involved in operations near Haiti?
The U.S. Coast Guard is involved in operations near Haiti to intercept drug trafficking routes that are strategically critical for the transport of narcotics to the United States. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance maritime security in the Caribbean.
What was discovered during the recent interception near Mole Saint-Nicolas?
Approximately 3,200 pounds of marijuana, valued at around $3.8 million, were discovered during the interception near Mole Saint-Nicolas. One person was detained as a suspected smuggler.
How does the U.S. Coast Guard collaborate with Haitian authorities?
The U.S. Coast Guard works in close cooperation with Haitian authorities by obtaining explicit permission for operations and collaborating on joint missions to disrupt narcotics trafficking and enhance regional security.