U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $13.3 Million Cocaine After Smugglers Throw Cargo Overboard North Of Puerto Rico

The U.S. Coast Guard and its partners under the Homeland Security Task Force- San Juan Region have seized 29 bales of cocaine following the interdiction of a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Atlantic Ocean north of Puerto Rico.

According to officials, the recovered narcotics weighed approximately 2,083 pounds and are valued at an estimated $13.3 million. No arrests were made. Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation.

The interception took place during a routine patrol on Friday night, when the crew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a panga-style go-fast vessel carrying several bales and fuel containers about 100 nautical miles north of Camuy, Puerto Rico.

The Sector San Juan Command Center redirected the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier to intercept the vessel and coordinated with task force partners, including Customs and Border Protection’s Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, Ramey Sector Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations.

As the cutter approached, the suspected smugglers reportedly carried out evasive manoeuvres and threw their cargo overboard before fleeing the scene.

The crew of the Joseph Napier recovered 29 bales from the water, which later tested positive for cocaine.

Subsequently, U.S. Border Patrol agents located the abandoned go-fast vessel ashore near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The seized narcotics were later handed over to Homeland Security Investigations personnel in San Juan.

Lieutenant John Groen, commanding officer of the Joseph Napier, stated that the cutter and air crews from Air Station Borinquen and Air Station Miami had successfully sighted and pursued the suspect vessel and recovered the jettisoned cocaine bales.

Reference: USCG

Source: Maritime Shipping News