In the latest episode of "Florida Man Strikes Again," a beachgoer stumbled upon 20 bricks of cocaine washed up on the pristine white sands of Vero Beach. Talk about a treasure hunt gone wrong! I've been all over Florida to our many beaches. Everywhere from Fort Myers to Marco island and into Miami. I've see it all, but not this!
According to WFLA, U.S. Border Patrol officials said the bricks had a collective weight of 57 lbs. That's one heavy load to carry, but it's nothing compared to the weight of the legal trouble that comes with it.
The estimated street value of the drugs is nearly $700,000. That's enough money to buy a beachfront mansion, a yacht, and a lifetime supply of sunscreen. But alas, it seems like the drug lords won't be living the high life anytime soon.
Cocaine on Vero Beach:
One can only imagine what the beachgoer must have thought when they stumbled upon this unexpected surprise. Perhaps they were hoping to find a message in a bottle, a rare seashell, or even a lost treasure from a pirate ship. But instead, they got a whole lot of trouble.
It's not every day that you find enough cocaine to supply a small country, and we can only imagine the chaos that ensued when the authorities arrived on the scene. But hey, at least the beachgoer can add "drug smuggler hunter" to their resume.
We can only hope that this discovery leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the illegal drug trade. And who knows, maybe the beachgoer will receive a hefty reward for their contribution to the fight against drugs.
In the meantime, let's all take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of this situation. Only in Florida can you go to the beach and come back with a small fortune in drugs. It's just another day in the life of the infamous "Florida Man."
Seven Out Of The Ten Most Dangerous Beaches In The US Are In Florida
Living in The Sunshine State, we have the luxury of going to the beach whenever we please, but seven out of the ten most dangerous beaches in the US are in Florida.
Since the hurricane, I just started back with my beach days about a month ago. So far, I've checked out Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, Fort Myers Beach and both Tarpon Bay and Bowman's Beach on Sanibel. I realized just how much I missed my beach days while cleanup efforts were underway. Whether you're staying local or traveling to other parts of the state, beaches can be dangerous. Of course, we don't like to think about that part as we're laying out, enjoying a cocktail, maybe playing a little volleyball. But unfortunately, something you look at as being fun and relaxing can come with some hazards that could even be deadly.
Recently, Travel Lens looked at different beaches around the US in terms of surfing deaths, hurricanes and shark attacks. What might not surprise you is that the deadliest beaches are along the East Coast. So thankfully here in SWFL, we have less to worry about. Though, that's not to say you shouldn't be careful. Fox put together a list of the top 10 most dangerous beaches in the country and seven of them are right here in Florida. You can check out the full list here, but let's see where beaches in Florida rank.
Most Dangerous Beaches in Florida:
10. Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has a danger score of 5.37 out of 10. This beach has seen three surf deaths and two shark attacks. Fort Lauderdale has also seen 120 hurricanes since 1851.
7. Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach has a danger score of 6.02 with three surfing fatalities, three shark attacks and 120 hurricane strikes.
6. Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach is another beach on the East Coast of Florida and has a danger score of 6.35 out of 10. Melbourne Beach has seen three surfing deaths, six shark attacks and has seen 120 hurricanes since 1851.
4. Panama City Beach
While Panama City Beach has only had two shark attacks, surfing deaths are high with 24 since 2010. Panama City Beach has a danger score of 7.16.
3. Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach is another beach that has seen more surfing deaths (8) than shark attacks (4) and has a danger score of 7.48.
2. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach has a danger score of 7.57.
1. New Smyrna Beach
The most dangerous beach in the US is New Smyrna Beach with a danger score of 8.14. Just in the last 13 years, New Smyrna Beach has seen 10 surfing deaths and 32 shark attacks. The area has also seen 120 hurricanes since 1851.
EDIT: The data used in this "Seven Out Of The Ten Most Dangerous Beaches" list was from April. Panama City Beach now leads the nation in 2023 beach deaths. Despite double red flag warnings, tourists are still braving rip currents.
