DANIA BEACH, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff's Office says a marine patrol deputy found $700,000 worth of cocaine floating off the waters of Dania Beach while on routine patrol.
At 11 a.m. Sunday, Deputy James "Brad" Lemieux spotted a burlap bag floating in the ocean a mile offshore, between the Dania Beach Pier and the Port Everglades Inlet.
Lemieux, who initially thought it was a trunk due to its rectangular shape, found the bag stuffed with 25 individual packages, which deputies said field tested positive for cocaine.
BSO said the 25 kilos were taken to their crime lab and will be turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency. BSO investigators said the estimated value of one kilo is approximately $28,000.
Lemieux serves as the BSO Marine Unit's manatee protection patrol deputy. The unit, comprised of Marine Patrol and the Dive Rescue Team, also includes one sergeant, seven deputies, a marine mechanic and a 40-man dive team, according to BSO.
"Our marine patrol is vigilant. They are reminded all the time that narcotic trafficking is still prevalent," Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said.
On May 15, deputies said a similar case happened when William Almond, a local fisherman, discovered seven bricks of what was suspected to be marijuana.
"If anyone comes across a suspicious package on the beach or floating in the water, you are encouraged to call 911," said BSO Marine Patrol Unit Sgt. Joseph Capua.