SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, CMC – Two US Residents had been arrested by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) company on Thursday after they intercepted a vessel carrying over 500 kilos of cocaine. The vessel was intercepted close to Puerto Rico within the Caribbean Sea.
CBP stated the estimated worth of the seized narcotics is US$ 4.6 million.
“These seizures underscore the unwavering dedication of our marine interdiction brokers in safeguarding our nation’s borders from the scourge of drug trafficking,” stated Christopher Hunter, CBP’s director of Air and Marine Operations within the Caribbean. “The profitable operations on Tuesday and Thursday are a testomony to the diligence, experience and relentless effort of our crew.
“We’ll proceed to leverage all accessible sources and intelligence to disrupt and dismantle the networks that search to smuggle unlawful narcotics into our communities,” he added. “Our precedence stays the security and safety of the American folks.”
CBP stated the Caribbean Air and Marine Operations Heart contacted a Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Marine Unit offering info relating to a vessel navigating east in direction of Mayaguez.
– Commercial –
A Multi-Function Enforcement Plane (MEA) from the Jacksonville, Florida, Air and Marine Department, positioned a white 21′ Walkaround sort Mako with a single outboard engine and two individuals on board close to Desecheo Island, CBP stated.
It stated the MEA offered overhead surveillance to help the crew of an AMO Coastal Interceptor vessel cease the incoming vessel.
CBP stated the Marine Interdiction Brokers searched the vessel and located 191 bricks of suspected cocaine.
– Commercial –
US Homeland Safety Investigations took custody of the 2 arrested US residents and the contraband for investigation and prosecution, CBP stated.
It additionally stated that, on Tuesday AMO and the Puerto Rico Police Division thwarted an try by a person to smuggle 357 kilos of cocaine via the island of Culebra.
In Fiscal 12 months 2023, CBP stated AMO enforcement actions within the Caribbean Sea resulted in 1,004 arrests and 89,909 apprehensions of undocumented migrants, in addition to the seizure or disruption of 256,883 kilos of cocaine, 2,049 kilos of fentanyl, 4,050 kilos of methamphetamine, 2,200 weapons and US$15.3 million.
