44 Pounds Of Cocaine Seized From Ship In Chesapeake Bay: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Authorities said they seized 44 pounds of cocaine Wednesday from a freighter anchored in the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis. Investigators noted that they found 20 bricks, or 20 kilograms, of the drug hidden in the vessel's anchor compartment. The haul has a street value of more than $1 million, an incident report added.

Police have not yet made any arrests. Officers explained that they are still investigating the 958-foot ship, named Samjohn Solidarity.

"Customs and Border Protection along with our law enforcement partners remain committed to intercepting transnational criminal organizations’ attempts to smuggle their dangerous drugs into the United States," said Keith Fleming, acting director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Baltimore Field Office. "We remain steadfast in our resolve to help keep our communities safe."

The write-up informed that representatives from these agencies helped with the early morning search:

• Drug Enforcement Administration
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Coast Guard
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police

"This is an example of a collaborative effort that suppresses illegal drug activity and keeps our citizens safe," Colonel Adrian Baker of the Maryland Natural Resources Police said in the press release. "The Maryland Natural Resources Police will continue to work with our federal partners to provide security for our citizens both on and off the water."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicated that it seized an average of 3,677 pounds of drugs per day last year.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police are honored to be a part of this joint enforcement. We will continue to be vigilant and disrupt the distribution of harmful and illegal drugs. https://t.co/ayXi6Gwce3
— Maryland NRP (@MDNRPolice) April 1, 2021

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