Instead of seeking out sea turtles, a wildlife official spotted cocaine worth about $1.2 million worth of cocaine in Florida beach, specifically at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The latest press release said that the 45th Security forces Squadron defenders recovered around 30 kilograms of contraband after it was seen last May 19.
The wildlife manager, Angy Chambers, first saw a little bundle covered with plastic and tape as she was conducting a sea turtle nesting survey. After finding one package, she discovered many more.
“I immediately contacted the 45th Security Forces Squadron,” she said. “While I was waiting for them to arrive, I drove a little further and noticed another package, and then another. At that point, I called SFS back and suggested they bring their UTV, or Utility Terrain Vehicle, as I counted at least 18 packages.”
Officials launched a search after suspecting that the package contained illegal drugs.
Officials suspected the packages contained drugs, and began search and closure protocols on all beaches.
“After securing the scene and collecting the contraband, a Brevard County Sheriff’s Office narcotics agent performed a field test on one of the packages and verified that it was cocaine,” 45th SFS flight sergeant and on-scene commander, Joseph Parker, said. “We then documented all 24 packages and placed them in evidence bags.”
Investigation is underway as the contraband is under the custody of the Special Agent David Castro and Homeland Security Investigations.
Evidence gathered on scene was also forwarded to the El Paso Intelligence Center.
While the source of drugs was not confirmed yet, Castro said that “oftentimes maritime drug traffickers will transport bulk shipments of controlled substances in bales consisting of 25 ‘bricks,’ or kilograms of drugs.”
“Sometimes the bale wrapping is destroyed during transit, causing bricks to be lost at sea and eventually recovered on the coastline of the United States.”
Parker, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to Chambers for the discovery of drugs before it reached the community.
“We take pride in protecting our base and the surrounding community,” he said. “There is also a higher level of job satisfaction knowing that these drugs will not make it into our community.”
