MIAMI, Florida - A US navy frigate transporting cocaine from seven different busts valued at one billion dollars handed their cargo over to federal agents on Monday, the US Coast Guard announced.
The navy ship sailed into Key West, in far southern Florida, carrying more than 32,000 pounds (14.5 tons) of cocaine seized in operations between December 22, 2004, and February 20, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The drugs were netted mainly by stopping fishing vessels and speed boats in operations close to the Colombian coast.
The largest bust was of some 4.8 tons (10,800 pounds) on February 20, when a Coast Guard cutter and a helicopter stopped two speedboats. An intercept four days earlier netted 3.9 tons (8,800 pounds).
In fiscal year 2005 vessels transporting more than 58 tons (130,000 pounds) of cocaine were intercepted on high sea. Of that figure, 31 tons (70,000 pounds) were confiscated in the Pacific, and 27 tons (60,000 pounds) in the Caribbean, according to the Coast Guard.
More than 150 people were arrrested, they added.
In fiscal year 2004 the Coast Guard seized 242,000 pounds (109 tons) on the high seas, a record year.
The US fiscal year runs from October 1 to the end of September.
04/04/2005 16:30 GMT