Local Coast Guard crew intercepts one ton of cocaine

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - A Coast Guard cutter brought a huge haul into St. Petersburg this morning.  The crew of the 87-foot Pelican returned to port after snagging a ton of cocaine, worth about $23-million.

They were part of a joint task force targeting smugglers in the Caribbean.

"This offload today is the result of the combined efforts of our partners and allied men and women who continue to work day and night to stop these criminal organizations from profiting off transnational crime and smuggling," said Capt. Aldante Vinciguerra, chief of response of the Coast Guard’s 7th District. "This offload represents approximately one ton of illicit drugs that will never hit our streets."

The crew also arrested three suspected smugglers in a go-fast boat.