The United States Coast Guard has offloaded 664 pounds (301 kgs) of cocaine on Saturday with an estimated wholesale value of around $3.5m, seized in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
In addition, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier transferred custody of six smugglers to Coast Guard Investigative Service and FBI Special Agents in Mayaguez.
The interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, and the smugglers are facing federal prosecution in Puerto Rico on criminal charges, US Coast Guard said, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
The charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.
The US Coast Guard reported that on October 13 the crew of its aircraft detected a suspicious 25-foot go-fast vessel in international waters north of Dorado, Puerto Rico. During the operation the cutter Joseph Napier crew launched the cutter’s Over the Horizon boat to stop the suspect vessel.
During the pursuit, the passengers aboard the suspect vessel were observed jettisoning suspected contraband cargo overboard.
Furthermore, the cutter boat crew stopped the go-fast vessel. Following the interdiction, the coast guard crew recovered six bales and a single package of the jettisoned cargo which tested positive for cocaine. The six persons onboard the vessel were apprehended.
“This successful narcotics interdiction highlights the importance of interoperability with our Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and Caribbean Border Interagency Group partners,” said Lt. Matthew Carmine, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier’s commanding officer.
“Everyday my crew and I are proud to stand the watch alongside our Department of Homeland Security partners as we continue to relentlessly combat drug trafficking and illegal migration throughout the waters of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
