MIAMI – A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew working under the direction of Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos helped seize of 5,050 pounds of marijuana early Wednesday morning.
The drugs have an estimated wholesale value of $4.6 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said a maritime patrol aircraft spotted a 35-foot go-fast vessel traveling at a high rate of speed without navigation lights at about 12:53 a.m.
A Royal Bahamas Police Force boat crew with Drug Enforcement Administration agents on board intercepted the boat and arrested six suspected drug smugglers.
"This is another great achievement by OPBAT and highlights how our joint efforts reduce the negative impacts illicit trafficking has on the United States and the Bahamas," said Cmdr. Mark Driver, OPBAT director for Coast Guard aviation operations.
The suspected smugglers and the drugs were taken to Nassau, Bahamas, for processing.
Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10