This Is a Turtle on Drugs*

*Or rather trapped by a pile of cocaine, as Coast Guard saves the day in international waters
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 22, 2017 8:52 AM CST
This Is a Turtle on Drugs*
A sea turtle is seen trapped in rope tied to contraband in the Pacific Ocean.   (US Coast Guard)

Coast Guard officials on a recent patrol managed to arrest 24 suspected smugglers—and save a life. While patrolling in international waters near Central America, officials came across a sea turtle entangled in ropes connected to floating contraband, later identified as 1,800 pounds of cocaine, according to a release. Officials were able to free the turtle—which had "significant chaffing" on its neck and flippers and had probably been trapped for a day or two—after pulling more than 75 feet of line from the water, reports NBC News. The 1,800 pounds of cocaine represents only a fraction of the narcotics recovered over a 68-day mission. Officials say seven tons of narcotics, mostly cocaine, were found in all, valued at $135 million. (More Coast Guard stories.)

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