The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded more than 44,550 pounds of marijuana and cocaine at Port Everglades, Fla., on Wednesday.

The narcotics were approximately valued at $509.9 million, according to a service news release.

“This is a key example of the Department of Justice working with our law enforcement partners to fight crime and keep drugs from flowing into America,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to the incredible work of the Coast Guard and FBI, these drugs will help lock up criminals instead of ruining lives.”

Ships, aircraft and drones were used to intercept the traffickers off the coast of Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

This offload was the result of 11 interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and the detainment of 34 suspected drug traffickers who were transferred ashore to face federal prosecution.

“I could not be prouder of the James crew and the teams who embarked with us to stand the watch over the holidays to keep our border secure and keep Americans safe,” said Capt. Thomas Rodzewicz, commanding officer of the James. “Over a remarkable 72-hour period, our crews interdicted six go-fast vessels and one low-profile vessel across the vast ocean, culminating in the extraordinary seizure of over 24,000 pounds of cocaine and 15 suspected narco-traffickers. We delivered a substantial blow to narco-terrorism organizations, sending those attempting to bring drugs to our border to face federal prosecution, halting the profits criminals use to fuel the fentanyl trade, and most importantly, preventing deadly contraband from reaching American communities and families.”

The seizures were tied to criminal investigations by federal partners and are linked to transnational criminal and foreign terrorist organizations including the Clan del Golfo, Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion.

USCGC James is one of four 418-foot Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Charleston, S.C., under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.

previous coverage

• Over half a billion dollars worth of cocaine offloaded in Fort Lauderdale by Coast Guard
• Coast Guard Cutter Waesche offloads $275 million of cocaine
• US Coast Guard ship seizes over 5,000 pounds of hashish in Arabian Sea bust
• Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton offloads $182.8 million in seized cocaine
• Coast Guard Cutter Resolute returns home with $115 million in seized drugs
• Coast Guard offloads $185 million in cocaine and marijuana on return from deployment
• Coast Guard Cutter Munro unloads 33,768 pounds of cocaine; estimated value — $468 million