INSIDER
Groups to sue federal officials over manatee protection
Read full article: Groups to sue federal officials over manatee protectionSeveral conservation groups have announced that they’re planning to sue federal wildlife officials, citing a failure to protect the West Indian manatee following record death rates in recent years.
Panic buying after Florida floods leads to long gas lines
Read full article: Panic buying after Florida floods leads to long gas linesHistoric flooding a week ago in South Florida has led to long lines at the region’s gas stations, as drivers fearful of a fuel shortage have been unnecessarily topping off their tanks.
Gas prices projected to go up as oil prices rise, AAA says
Read full article: Gas prices projected to go up as oil prices rise, AAA saysFlorida gas prices dropped a couple cents last week, but could get more expensive soon, as global supply concerns caused oil prices to rise again last week, according to AAA data.
U.S. Coast Guard offloads $1 billion worth of narcotics
Read full article: U.S. Coast Guard offloads $1 billion worth of narcoticsA U.S. Coast Guard vessel offloaded Thursday more than 30 metric tons of cocaine and marijuana worth over $1 billion that was seized at sea during a months-long deployment off the coast of South America.
New cruise ship’s inaugural voyage postponed after crew members test positive for COVID-19
Read full article: New cruise ship’s inaugural voyage postponed after crew members test positive for COVID-19After eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19, the inaugural voyage of Royal Caribbean’s new Odyssey of the Seas ship from Port Everglades was postponed, WPLG reports.
Coast Guard offloads $411.3M of cocaine, marijuana at Port Everglades
Read full article: Coast Guard offloads $411.3M of cocaine, marijuana at Port EvergladesFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter James offloaded about 23,000 pounds of cocaine and about 8,800 pounds of marijuana — valued at more than $411.3 million — on Wednesday morning at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. “We know that each interdiction saves lives and helps to protect others from violence, extortion and instability,” Vance said, adding that 50 accused smugglers. The U.S. Coast Guard turned over the accused smugglers, cocaine, and marijuana to federal authorities in Broward County. Vance said maritime narcotraffickers are still using customized go-fast boats, also known as go-fast vessels, or GFV. The list of those in attendance at the port also included U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Karl Schultz, Netherlands’ Col. Jarst de Jong, France’s Capt.
$408-million of cocaine, marijuana seized by U.S. Coast Guard
Read full article: $408-million of cocaine, marijuana seized by U.S. Coast GuardMIAMI – The Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754) crew offloaded approximately 23,000 pounds of cocaine and approximately 6,900 pounds of marijuana, all worth more than an estimated $408 million, Tuesday in Port Everglades. "It is important to note that our fellow citizens aren't the only ones who benefit from these counter-narcotics efforts. Our Central American neighbors face tremendous strain from drug-fueled violence sparked by transnational criminal organizations. Efforts like this enhanced counter-drug operation significantly disrupt the criminal activity destabilizing the region." The cutter James is a 418-foot national security cutter home ported in Charleston, South Carolina.
3rd coronavirus case triggers advisory for Florida port
Read full article: 3rd coronavirus case triggers advisory for Florida portBROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – With three coronavirus cases linked to a Port Everglades company, Florida health officials are asking anyone who’s experiencing symptoms after traveling through the port to stay home for 14 days. That advisory was issued on Tuesday after the Florida Department of Health announced a 69-year-old woman has tested positive for coronavirus, making her the fourth Broward County case and the third among employees of Metro Cruise Services, which provides ground services at the port. According to the state health department, officials are working to identify individuals who came into contact with the infected patients while passing through Port Everglades. Individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 who recently traveled through Port Everglades should self-isolate until healthy and contact their healthcare provider prior to seeking care. On Saturday, the State Department issued an advisory warning Americans about cruise travel after crew members and passengers on recent voyages were exposed to the virus.
19 tons of cocaine, marijuana seized by Coast Guard
Read full article: 19 tons of cocaine, marijuana seized by Coast GuardFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James made a big bust. 19 tons of interdicted drugs were seized over the weekend. On Monday, the Coast Guard Cutter James will offload 28,000 pounds of cocaine, 11,000 pounds of marijuana at Port Everglades. "The Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754) crew is scheduled to hold a press briefing discussing the offload of approximately 27,300 pounds of seized cocaine worth an estimated $367 million and 11,000 pounds of seized marijuana worth an estimated $10.1 million at Port Everglades." The drugs were interdicted in international waters of the Caribbean Basin and the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America and include contraband seized and recovered in 18 separate interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels by U.S. Coast Guard.