The U.S. Coast Guard, and its Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region partners, recently disrupted a vessel in the Atlantic Ocean north of Puerto Rico and seized 29 bales of cocaine weighing 2,083 pounds and worth an estimated $13.3 million.
“This successful interdiction and seizure are a testament to the outstanding teamwork and coordination among the Homeland Security Task Force San Juan partners,” Yariel Ramos, Homeland Security Investigations San Juan acting special agent in charge, said. “Our joint efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Border Patrol demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting our borders and disrupting the flow of illicit drugs into Puerto Rico and the United States. We will continue to leverage our combined resources and expertise to safeguard our communities and hold criminal organizations accountable wherever they are.”
The air crew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft sighted a panga-style go-fast vessel carrying multiple bales and fuel containers, approximately 100 nautical miles north of Camuy, Puerto Rico, on Feb. 13. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier approached. The suspected smugglers jettisoned their cargo overboard and fled.
The crew recovered the bales from the water, and U.S. Border Patrol agents later located the abandoned vessel near Arecibo, Puerto Rico.