CBP seizes vessel with $28M in cocaine

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard recently intercepted a 60-foot low-profile go-fast vessel carrying 2,200 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $28 million.

A CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) P-3 Orion Long Range Tracker crew spotted a suspicious vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The crew contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, which intercepted the vessel.

Two Colombian nationals and two Ecuadorian nationals were found aboard.

AMO is a federal law enforcement organization that uses advanced aeronautical and maritime technologies. It investigates criminal networks and intercepts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders.

P-3 aircraft are used to prevent attempts to smuggle contraband or people.

The crew is assigned to the National Air Security Operations Center-Jacksonville. These operations form half of the P-3 operations wing. The other half is in Corpus Christi, Texas.

AMO employs approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission-support personnel throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. It uses 300 marine vessels and 240 aircraft.

Last year, AMO made 1,575 arrests and apprehended 52,036 illegal aliens. It seized or disrupted approximately $34.1 million, 935 weapons, 51,058 pounds of methamphetamine, 101,874 pounds of marijuana, and 284,825 pounds of cocaine.