America Customs and Border Safety (CBP) says brokers from its Air and Marine Operations (AMO) unit intercepted a drug-laden vessel within the Caribbean Sea, arresting three Venezuelan nationals and seizing greater than half a ton of cocaine.
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In an announcement, CBP revealed that the early-morning bust occurred on July 12, when a Caribbean-based AMO surveillance asset detected a suspicious vessel touring northward about six nautical miles south of Punta Tuna in Maunabo, southeastern Puerto Rico.
In response, the AMO Fajardo Marine unit launched a Coastal Interceptor Vessel and dispatched Marine Interdiction Brokers to the realm. The suspect vessel—a yola-type boat generally used for smuggling—refused to cease and made landfall at Playa Mario in Maunabo.
Brokers moved in rapidly, detaining three people—recognized as Venezuelan nationals—who lacked authorized documentation to enter or stay in the USA. A complete of 16 bales of cocaine, weighing roughly 1,009 kilos, have been recovered from the vessel. The estimated avenue worth of the seizure is US$8.2 million.
The suspects and the contraband have been handed over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for additional investigation and potential prosecution.
“This important interdiction highlights our continued dedication to defending U.S. borders and stopping illicit narcotics from reaching our communities,” CBP stated within the launch.
The company didn’t launch the names of the suspects, citing the continuing investigation.
