US coast guard offloaded 79 kilograms of cocaine from a suspect vessel with an estimated wholesale value of $829 thousand dollars.
The crew of coast guard cutter Joseph Napier transferred nine suspects to federal authorities in Puerto Rico, Monday.
The aircrew of customs and border protection multirole enforcement aircraft detected on August 5 a suspect vessel, approximately 67 nautical miles north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
A coast guard aircraft also responded and maintained aerial surveillance of the suspect vessel as the cutter Joseph Napier approached the area.
The coast guard cutter Joseph Napier crew observed the occupants of the suspect vessel jettison multiple packages overboard shortly before stopping the vessel.
The crew embarked eight men and a woman from the suspect vessel, who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals.
They also recovered three bales of the jettisoned cargo which tested positive for cocaine.
The crew transported the suspected smugglers and seized contraband to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they were transferred to coast guard investigative service, homeland security investigations and drug enforcement administration special agents.
“The successful outcome in this case was achieved through the close coordination and collaboration between the Coast Guard and our partner agencies, who work daily to detect and stop illegal smuggling activities in the Mona Passage,” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, sector San Juan chief of response.
“In the face of adversity, our resolve strengthens,” stated DEA Caribbean division special agent in charge, Denise Foster. “Together, with unwavering determination and steadfast collaboration, we will dismantle the networks of crime that threaten our communities and tarnish the fabric of our society.”
