Current:Home > FinanceAlgosensey|Cocaine washes ashore near mystery shipwreck that caused massive oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago -FutureFinance
Algosensey|Cocaine washes ashore near mystery shipwreck that caused massive oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 19:06:49
A black plastic bag containing more than a kilogram of cocaine has washed up on Algosenseya beach near the spot where a mysterious barge capsized and spilled oil off the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, authorities said Monday.
The cocaine, valued at $75,000, was found "washed ashore" at Cove Estate on Tobago, police said in a statement.
Authorities have not linked the drug find to the capsized vessel, which is lodged on a reef about 500 feet from Cove Estate.
Intrigue surrounds the vessel which capsized on February 7 in waters off the Caribbean island, having made no emergency calls and with no sign of any crew.
As a trail of oil leaked into the ocean at the height of the tourist season, authorities last week determined at least two vessels -- the barge and a tugboat -- had been involved in the accident.
The national security ministry said the barge had been tugged from Panama, and appears to have been bound for Guyana.
The oil spill has affected about 10 miles of Tobago's coastline, and the cleanup is still underway. Last week, Prime Minister Keith Rowley declared a national emergency as crews raced to contain the spill.
The island's Emergency Management Agency has posted dozens of images and videos on social media showing the 330-foot-long ship and crews scrambling to clean up the oil spill. Divers spotted the name "Gulfstream" on the craft's side but still no little about the vessel or where it came from.
On Sunday, the agency hailed all the volunteer groups contributing to the cleanup.
"Their hard work is nothing short of inspiring as they tirelessly contribute to the recovery mission," the agency wrote on Facebook.
It's not uncommon for drugs to be found in the waters and beaches of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. In January, nearly $1 million of cocaine washed ashore on a beach in Cameron County, Texas and last summer, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor reeled in 70 pounds of cocaine while on a fishing trip in the Florida Keys.
In April 2023, packages of cocaine worth more than $100,000 were found on three different Walton County, Florida beaches, and about three months before that, nearly 150 pounds of packaged cocaine washed up on Big Pine Key, Florida.
In 2019, bricks of cocaine were discovered on two beaches after Hurricane Dorian lashed the Florida coast.
- In:
- Caribbean
- Shipwreck
- Cocaine
veryGood! (315)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Krispy Kreme: New Go USA doughnuts for 2024 Olympics, $1 doughnut deals this week
- USDA moves to limit salmonella in raw poultry products
- In New York, a ballot referendum meant to protect abortion may not use the word ‘abortion’
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- What's in the box Olympic medal winners get? What else medalists get for winning
- World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been a normal dad and tourist at Paris Olympics
- Beacon may need an agent, but you won't see the therapy dog with US gymnasts in Paris
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- With DUI-related ejection from Army, deputy who killed Massey should have raised flags, experts say
Ranking
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Krispy Kreme: New Go USA doughnuts for 2024 Olympics, $1 doughnut deals this week
- American swimmer Nic Fink wins silver in men's 100 breaststroke at Paris Olympics
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Showbiz Grand Slam
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Dog days are fun days on trips away from the shelter with volunteers
- New England Patriots DT Christian Barmore diagnosed with blood clots
- Iowa now bans most abortions after about 6 weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Krispy Kreme: New Go USA doughnuts for 2024 Olympics, $1 doughnut deals this week
MLB trade deadline rumors heat up: Top players available, what to know
Paris Olympics organizers say they meant no disrespect with ‘Last Supper’ tableau
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
How can we end human trafficking? | The Excerpt
Noah Lyles says his popularity has made it hard to stay in Olympic Village
Swarm of dragonflies startles beachgoers in Rhode Island