The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton has seized approximately 2,380 pounds of presumptive cannabis worth an estimated CI $2.8 million, June 4, following an interdiction of a suspected drug-smuggling vessel approximately 80 miles southwest of Great Inagua, Bahamas.

In coordination with the Bahamian government and with logistical support from U.S. Coast Guard Homeland Security Cutter Ocean, Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton and the Royal Bahamian Defense Force crews boarded the suspected drug-smuggling vessel and discovered 97 bales of suspected cannabis. The three people on the vessel and the narcotics were transferred to the RBDF for further prosecution.

“This interdiction highlights the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to combating transnational organized crime in the region,” said Lt. Peter Fager, commanding officer, USCGC Charles Sexton. “Working together, we continue to disrupt illicit trafficking and protect the security and stability of our maritime borders.”

HSC-Ocean initiative

The HSC-Ocean initiative augments the Coast Guard’s existing fleet, enhancing the Service’s ability to control, secure and defend U.S. borders and maritime approaches. The initiative is designed to provide a rapid, adaptable and effective way to deliver logistics support to high-demand, multi-mission cutters, such as the fast response cutter fleet. By delivering supplies and personnel directly to cutters underway, the vessel keeps Coast Guard assets on station longer and focused on mission execution.

Caribbean maritime security

The seizure comes amid continued concern over drug trafficking through the Caribbean, a key transit route for narcotics bound for North America and Europe. In its World Drug Report 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said:

"The overall increase in cocaine seizures in recent years appears to have occurred in parallel with increasing violence in the Caribbean, largely stemming from increasing competition between criminal groups over drug markets."

While this interdiction involved suspected marijuana, the report said the region remains under pressure from transnational organised crime and increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it continues to work with U.S. agencies, international partners and regional authorities to detect, deter and interdict illicit maritime trafficking while strengthening maritime security across the Caribbean.