The U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Charles Sexton, stationed in Key West, Florida, seized approximately 2,380 pounds of marijuana valued at $2.8 million on Saturday after intercepting a suspected drug trafficking vessel about 80 miles southwest of Great Inagua, Bahamas, according to an official statement.
Upon boarding the vessel, crew members from the Charles Sexton discovered 97 bundles of the substance and detained three individuals on board.
This operation was conducted in collaboration with the Bahamian government and was supported logistically by the Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean (HSC-Ocean). This program, initiated in June 2026, involves the Coast Guard contracting Bordelon Marine to operate a commercial ship that supplies cutters directly at sea, eliminating the need for them to return to port.
The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) personnel were also involved, taking custody of both the three detainees and the seized drugs for judicial processing.
The illicit cargo and those arrested were offloaded this Monday at Coral Harbour, Bahamas.
Lieutenant Peter Fager, commander of the Charles Sexton, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in these operations. "This interception highlights the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to combating transnational organized crime in the region," stated Fager. "By working together, we continue to dismantle illicit trafficking and safeguard the security and stability of our maritime borders," he added.
The Charles Sexton is a Sentinel-class fast response cutter capable of speeds exceeding 28 knots with an endurance of five days, making the logistical support from the HSC-Ocean especially valuable for extending its operational time in the area.
Great Inagua, situated at the southern tip of the Bahamas, is a strategic drug trafficking corridor connecting Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Bahamas with southern Florida. Historically, between 10% and 15% of cocaine headed from South America to the United States has passed through this route.
This seizure is part of a series of drug operations carried out by the Coast Guard in the Caribbean this year. In June, an Ecuadorian drug boat was detected in the Caribbean with 3,960 pounds of marijuana; in May, 3,200 pounds of the same substance were confiscated off the coast of Haiti; and in April, the USCGC Resolute offloaded more than 2,570 pounds of cocaine valued at $19.3 million in Miami Beach.
The largest drug seizure in Coast Guard history occurred in August 2025, when over 76,000 pounds of drugs valued at $473 million were confiscated in Port Everglades, marking a turning point in the intensification of anti-narcotics operations in the region.
Key Details About the Caribbean Drug Operation
What was the value of the marijuana seized by the USCGC Charles Sexton?
The marijuana seized was valued at approximately $2.8 million.
How many individuals were detained during the operation?
Three individuals were detained in connection with the suspected drug trafficking.
What is the significance of Great Inagua in drug trafficking?
Great Inagua is a crucial drug trafficking corridor that links Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Bahamas to southern Florida, historically channeling a significant portion of cocaine from South America to the United States.