A mariner in Florida made a startling discovery last week — what authorities believe to be 50 pounds of cocaine drifting off the coast.
On Friday, Aug. 1, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reported that a “good Samaritan” spotted the 23 kilograms — about 50 lbs. — of suspected cocaine floating five miles south of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The mariner alerted authorities, and both U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the MCSO retrieved the brick-shaped packages and brought them ashore before handing them over to federal officials, according to the MCSO.
The MCSO posted a photo on social media showing the taped, brick-like bundles lined up on a dock, with certain portions blurred for the post. Authorities estimate there were roughly 20 packages in total.
The mariner’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.
When contacted on Sunday, Aug. 3, the MCSO referred inquiries to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to Islamorada’s official website, the village boasts “the world’s highest density of professional offshore and backcountry charter boats” and is known as the birthplace of both backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly fishing.
This isn’t the first time drugs have been turned over to the MCSO. In early July, deputies reported finding 1.3 kilograms — nearly three pounds — of suspected cocaine near Mile Marker 79.5. That package bore an image from the 2000 film Gladiator.
Last year, a lobster diver discovered another suspected cocaine package about a mile offshore from Tavernier, CBS12 reported. That bundle featured an illustration of a rabbit skull with the word “Bunny” printed below it.
Elsewhere in Florida, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced in June that a beachgoer came across nearly $500,000 worth of cocaine washed ashore. The 25 kilograms of drugs were wrapped with an image of Yosemite Sam, and authorities urged residents not to touch any “suspicious packages.”
