The Coast Guard offloaded approximately 725 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $5.4 million on Wednesday that was seized by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier, a fast response cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cocaine was turned over to Coast Guard Investigative Service and Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agents in San Juan.
A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations multi-role enforcement aircraft detected a suspicious 35-foot go-fast vessel in international waters north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on April 28, and the Joseph Napier was sent to interdict the suspect vessel. During the interdiction, the crew recovered eight bales of cocaine, seven of which had been jettisoned overboard, and apprehended the five people.
“This was an excellent case that would not have been possible without the support provided by Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch,” Lt. John M. Groen, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer, said. “Their flight remained on scene for several hours and communicated flawlessly with the pursuit team. I am so incredibly proud of the entire Joseph Napier crew’s outstanding performance. The interdiction highlights Sector San Juan and the Seventh Coast Guard District’s unwavering commitment to combat drug trafficking organizations and secure America’s maritime borders.”