Authorities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have seized more than 435 kilograms of cocaine and arrested two suspects following a maritime operation, according to the United States Southern Command.

In a statement, the command said the individuals were detained after allegedly entering the country’s territorial waters aboard a yacht while in possession of the illegal drugs. The suspects have been charged in connection with the incident.

The seizure forms part of ongoing regional security efforts under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a programme aimed at strengthening cooperation between the United States and Caribbean nations to combat organised crime.

United States Southern Command said it has worked with partners across the region since 2010 to improve their ability to disrupt illicit trafficking and transnational criminal networks.

The operation also reflects broader collaboration through the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, which focuses on tackling narcotics trafficking, organised crime and other shared security threats across the Western Hemisphere.

Officials have not released further details about the suspects or the origin and destination of the narcotics.