AMO interdicts vessel with more than $1 million worth of cocaine in Northern Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico —Air and Marine Operations, an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, detained four Dominican Republic nationals following the interdiction of a vessel north of Puerto Rico early Oct. 29.  

San Juan and Fajardo Marine Interdiction agents onboard three coastal interceptor vessels recovered approximately 196 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $1.5 million dollars. 

On Oct. 28, a New Orleans Branch Air and Marine Operations aircraft detected a vessel of interest north of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Later that evening, air and marine crews located the vessel north of Carolina, Puerto Rico, and initiated an interdiction response.

During the interdiction, the vessel increased speed, failed to stop and occupants began throwing bales into the water. The vessel subsequently stopped north of Loíza, Puerto Rico.

“Through the coordinated efforts of our air and marine crews, we were able to detect, track and safely interdict this vessel before it could reach Puerto Rico,” stated Christopher Hunter, Director, Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.  “This operation reflects the critical role of Air and Marine Operations in protecting our maritime borders and disrupting criminal smuggling networks in the Caribbean.”

Air and marine crews arrested four individuals, three men and one woman, claiming to be nationals of the Dominican Republic.

Agents transferred custody of the contraband, and the four aliens to the Homeland Security Task Force for further investigation and prosecution.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

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