MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A kilo of suspected cocaine washed up at a posh Florida Keys resort, deputies reported Monday.
According to authorities, a passerby saw the brick over the weekend at Hawk’s Cay, which was then turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
Like many other drug loads that have been washing up on South Florida shores, the brick bears a distinctive logo on the outside.
According to the feds, it’s typically the work of cartels wanting to mark their turf.
“They may mark them to a specific customer,” said Deanne Reuter, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami Field Division.
Other bundles that have recently been found are marked with images including look-a-like Nike logos, pony pictures, and eagle art.
Cryptic images are nothing new, but smuggling organizations have lately been making markings and imprints on the insides of kilos as well.
On a recent day at the DEA’s Southeast Laboratory, where many of the drugs are taken, a load with eagle markings was the next to be analyzed by a forensic chemist.
“The packaging includes the eagle on the front, and various amounts of different layers,” said chemist Jenna Hamilton.
Samples are then mixed and placed into an instrument that reads the molecular structure to determine its identity.
Lab director Allen Catteron said that while synthetic drugs are on the rise, cocaine still represents the largest seizures the lab receives in weight.
While linking drugs found to specific criminal organization is very difficult, the lab aims to identify what is being smuggled.
“Our mission, especially at the laboratory, is to provide a service to the public,” Catteron said.
Reuter noted that while smuggling by sea has grown in scope and sophistication, the DEA is upping its game to get to the drugs before they come to shore.
Other partner agencies are, as well.
In October, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations stopped a vessel offshore in Fort Lauderdale and discovered 176 pounds of cocaine onboard.
In September, the U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 4,000 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $54 million.
“We’re diligently following every lead we can,” Reuter said. “You bring drugs and poisons into our community, and put our communities at risk: we’re coming for you.”