SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC) – Interdiction of a smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea by the US Coast Guard, offloaded 901 pounds of cocaine worth US$10.2 Million, in Puerto Rico.
Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier, were responsible for the capture, informed by the US Coast Guard.
Three men who are Dominican Republic national were taken in to custody during the raid, and are facing US federal prosecution, in the district court of Puerto Rico. The three men are facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the US.
Leading the prosecution for this case is the transnational organized crime division of the US Attorney’s office for the district of Puerto Rico. The investigation is led by the agents supporting Caribbean corridor strike force.
It was informed that, the operation went down during a patrol, the aircrew of a course guard CG Maritime patrol aircraft, observed a suspect go-fast vessel north of Puerto Rico.
The course guard at sector San Juan, instructed and diverted the Cutter Joseph Napier to intercept and stop the 30-foot blue and white go-fast vessel, apprehending three individuals and recovering twelve bales of contrabands, testing positive for cocaine, informed by the US Coast Guard.
The cocaine was unloaded in San Juan on Wednesday by the Joseph Napier crew and Caribbean border strike force agency.
Lieutenant De Vonte Weems, commanding officer Cutter Joseph Napier, commented that he is extremely proud of his crew, especially the pursuit team, in apprehending the drug-smuggling vessel from entering Puerto Rico, with their tactical proficiency and resilience. A successful interdiction by great team effort with seamless coordination between course guard surface, aerial and shoreside units.
The result of combined effort involving the Caribbean corridor strike force, Caribbean border interagency group and organized crime drug force task that resulted in the interdiction of the vessel in concern.
