New York: In a shocking discovery, beachgoers in Alabama and Florida stumbled upon bundles of cocaine worth nearly $2 million that had washed ashore in two separate incidents.
On Thursday, swimmers at Baldwin County beach in Alabama spotted packages floating in the water and dragged them to shore before alerting authorities.
“50 packages, 2.2 pounds per package—about 110 pounds in total, valued at approximately $1.5 million,” said Capt. Danny Steelman of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
The packages, which had barnacles attached, indicated they had been drifting at sea for some time. Authorities noted that this isn’t an isolated case — similar drug bundles were found in 2021 on Alabama beaches.
“It’s not uncommon for us to find one bundle, and then a few days later, another shows up,” Steelman added.
Florida Sees Similar Drug Discovery
Just days earlier on Sunday, Walton County, Florida, reported the discovery of 25 kilograms of cocaine, estimated at $500,000, found by a beachgoer. The bundles were marked with cartoon character Yosemite Sam and were immediately handed over to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
“If you come across any square groupers, PLEASE call us and DO NOT touch suspicious packages,” the office posted on X, warning about the potential harm from unknown substances.
Ongoing Smuggling Crackdowns
These beach discoveries follow a major drug seizure by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Laredo, Texas, where officers intercepted 114 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a trailer, valued at over $1.5 million.
“The vigilance of our CBP officers helped stop a significant amount of cocaine from entering our communities,” said Laredo Port Director Alberto Flores.
Authorities continue to investigate the source of the washed-up cocaine, suspecting maritime smuggling operations. Beachgoers are strongly advised to report any unusual packages and avoid direct contact with suspicious materials.