Orange Beach, AL – June 2025

Local authorities are investigating after an estimated $1.5 million worth of cocaine washed up on the shores of Orange Beach, a popular tourist destination along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

According to a statement from the Orange Beach Police Department, beachgoers discovered multiple suspicious packages early this week. The tightly wrapped bundles were later confirmed to be kilogram-sized bricks of cocaine, totaling over 30 kilograms in weight.

The narcotics were recovered and handed over to federal authorities, including the U.S. Coast Guard and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who are now leading the investigation.

“This is an active investigation,” said Lt. Jason Smith of the Orange Beach Police. “We’re working closely with our federal partners to determine the origin of these drugs and whether they’re connected to ongoing trafficking operations in the Gulf.”

Authorities believe the drugs likely originated from a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. In similar incidents, traffickers have been known to discard cargo overboard to avoid detection by law enforcement or during emergencies at sea. Ocean currents and tides can then carry the contraband to shore, sometimes hundreds of miles from its original drop point.

This marks a rare but not unheard-of event for Alabama. While large drug shipments occasionally wash ashore in Florida and other coastal states, such incidents are relatively uncommon in Alabama waters.

Local residents and tourists are being urged to report any further suspicious findings.

“If you see something unusual—whether it’s packages, bricks, or even duffel bags—don’t touch it. Call 911 immediately,” Lt. Smith emphasized.

No arrests have been made as of Sunday, and the investigation remains ongoing.