Recently, federal agents seized over 3,600 pounds of cocaine that smugglers attempted to transport into the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations intercepted a vessel trying to smuggle cocaine into the southern coast of Vieques on Sept 4, with the estimated value of the seized narcotics being approximately $33 million.
Christopher Hunter, the director of AMO in the Caribbean, commended the CBP agents for their dedication and precision in intercepting the drugs and preventing them from reaching communities. The individuals aboard the vessel managed to escape authorities by beaching the vessel and fleeing the area, leading to no immediate arrests being made.
Throughout fiscal year 2023, enforcement actions have resulted in 1,004 arrests and 89,909 apprehensions of undocumented individuals. Additionally, authorities seized 256,883 pounds of cocaine, 2,049 pounds of fentanyl, 4,050 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,200 weapons, and $15.3 million in cash.
Vieques, a popular tourist destination east of mainland Puerto Rico, has been identified as a transshipment point for illicit drugs by the U.S. Department of Justice. Due to its strategic location between drug source countries and the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico serves as an ideal gateway for the movement of illicit drugs.
CBP Arrests 2 US Citizens
Prior to this incident, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces for Rapid Action intercepted another vessel near Domes Beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico, carrying 588 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were valued at approximately $5.3 million, and two U.S. citizens were arrested in connection with the operation and handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration Caribbean Corridor Strike Force for further investigation and potential prosecution.
