In the Florida Keys, Floating Cocaine Remains an Alluring Catch

Plastic-wrapped bricks of cocaine frequently surface in the waters off the Florida Keys, known locally as 'square grouper.' This summer, lobster divers found a brick off Big Pine Key, about 30 miles northeast of Key West. The boat captain left it on a fire-rescue ambulance hood when no deputies were available. Others, like John Strama, a 44-year-old boat builder and mechanic, have exploited the trend, leading a ring sentenced for distributing sea-found cocaine.

Strama used his knowledge of local waterways to locate bricks dropped or dumped by traffickers. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones warned that fishing for 'square grouper' is drug trafficking. Sheriff Rick Ramsay said cocaine packages surface nearly every week in Monroe County.

Despite Trump administration strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, operations are too far to affect the Keys. The area’s mangroves and spoil islands remain ideal for hiding drugs. Historically, teens raced to catch floating bales of marijuana in the 1970s, a precursor to today’s cocaine trade.

Strama’s father sent him to sea as a child to search for marijuana bales, per his lawyer Sam Rabin. Over time, trafficker tactics evolved from speed boats to inconspicuous sailboats and freighters. Bricks marked '333' and even a 'Tom and Jerry' cat stamp have appeared recently.

Square grouper has proven deadly: a 2011 overdose and a 2015 double homicide linked to cocaine sales from sea-found bricks. One boat mate is serving life in prison. Drug smuggling in the Keys remains active and dangerous.

Plástico envuelto ladrillos de cocaína aparecen con frecuencia en las aguas de las Islas de Florida, conocidas localmente como 'square grouper'. Este verano, buceadores de langosta encontraron un ladrillo al este de Big Pine Key, a unos 30 millas al noreste de Key West. El capitán del barco lo dejó en el capó de una ambulancia de bomberos cuando no había disponibles los alguaciles.

Otros, como John Strama, un constructor de barcos de 44 años y mecánico, han explotado la tendencia, liderando una banda condenada por distribuir cocaína encontrada en el mar. Strama utilizó su conocimiento de las vías fluviales locales para localizar los ladrillos caídos o tirados por los contrabandistas. El Fiscal de EE.

UU. Jason A. Reding Quiñones advirtió que pescar 'square grouper' es tráfico de cocaína.

El sheriff Rick Ramsay dijo que los paquetes de cocaína aparecen casi cada semana en el Condado de Monroe. A pesar de los golpes del gobierno de Trump contra barcos sospechosos de drogas en el Caribe, las operaciones están demasiado lejos para afectar a las Islas. Los manglares y las islas de relleno de la zona siguen siendo esconderijos ideales para las drogas.

Históricamente, los adolescentes corrían a capturar bales de marihuana flotantes en los años 70, un precursor del actual comercio de cocaína. El padre de Strama lo envió al mar de niño para buscar bales de marihuana, según su abogado Sam Rabin. Con el tiempo, las tácticas de los contrabandistas evolucionaron de lanchas rápidas a veleros discretos y cargueros.

Los ladrillos marcados con '333' e incluso un sello de gato 'Tom and Jerry' han aparecido recientemente. La cocaína flotante ha resultado letal: una sobredosis en 2011 y un doble homicidio en 2015 vinculado a la venta de cocaína encontrada en el mar. Un compañero de barco está cumpliendo cadena perpetua.

El contrabando de drogas en las Islas sigue activo y peligroso.

Plastic-wrapped bricks of cocaine frequently surface in the waters off the Florida Keys, known locally as 'square grouper.' This summer, lobster divers found a brick off Big Pine Key, about 30 miles northeast of Key West. The boat captain left it on a fire-rescue ambulance hood when no deputies were available. Others, like John Strama, a 44-year-old boat builder and mechanic, have exploited the trend, leading a ring sentenced for distributing sea-found cocaine.

Strama used his knowledge of local waterways to locate bricks dropped or dumped by traffickers. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones warned that fishing for 'square grouper' is drug trafficking. Sheriff Rick Ramsay said cocaine packages surface nearly every week in Monroe County.

Despite Trump administration strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, operations are too far to affect the Keys. The area’s mangroves and spoil islands remain ideal for hiding drugs. Historically, teens raced to catch floating bales of marijuana in the 1970s, a precursor to today’s cocaine trade.

Strama’s father sent him to sea as a child to search for marijuana bales, per his lawyer Sam Rabin. Over time, trafficker tactics evolved from speed boats to inconspicuous sailboats and freighters. Bricks marked '333' and even a 'Tom and Jerry' cat stamp have appeared recently.

Square grouper has proven deadly: a 2011 overdose and a 2015 double homicide linked to cocaine sales from sea-found bricks. One boat mate is serving life in prison. Drug smuggling in the Keys remains active and dangerous.