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  4. CBP's Air and Marine Operations Seize Nearly 500 Pounds of Marijuana Aboard Vessel Near Miami Beach

CBP's Air and Marine Operations Seize Nearly 500 Pounds of Marijuana Aboard Vessel Near Miami Beach

Release Date
Wed, 07/18/2018
MIAMI—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Miami Air and Marine Branch (MAMB) interdicted a vessel jam-packed with approximately 496 pounds of marijuana near Miami Beach this month.CBP's Air and Marine Operations monitoring Florida's coastline.
 
On July 11, CBP Air and Marine Operations personnel located a suspicious vessel during an aerial patrol off Florida's coast and coordinated with marine units and interagency assets in the area to intercept. Agents arrested two individuals while seizing $6,200 in cash and a revolver.
 
“Dedicated Air and Marine Operations agents continually monitor Florida’s coastline to interdict anything that could do us harm before it reaches our local communities,” said Martin Wade, Director of the Miami Air and Marine Branch. “CBP Air and Marine Operations in South Florida and across the country interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks in the air and maritime environments and responds to contingencies and national taskings.”
 
Air and Marine Operations maintains an active and fully engaged cadre of coastal patrol vessels and aircraft aggressively patrolling the Florida coastline. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO serves as the nation’s experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement.
 
In Fiscal Year 2017, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 269,790 pounds of cocaine; 384,230 pounds of marijuana; 5,721 pounds of methamphetamine; 1,089 weapons and $26.1 million; 2,573 arrests and 37,009 apprehensions of illegal aliens.
 
For breaking news and information updates on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations follow @CBP @CBPFlorida and @CBPCaribbean on Twitter.
 
Watch a video on how U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations secures the maritime border.
Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021