Coast Guard offloads 2 suspected drug smugglers, $8.5 million in seized cocaine in Puerto Rico
By FOX 13 News Staff
Published
Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Two suspected drug smugglers and $8.5 million in seized cocaine were transferred to federal agents at a Coast Guard base in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea.
The bust took place on Jan. 24, 2021, after the aircrew of a maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspicious 25-foot go-fast vessel, approximately 200 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic.
"This successful interdiction is a reflection of the seamless teamwork and the unwavering resolve between the Coast Guard, our federal law enforcement and Department of Defense partners to protect the nation’s southernmost maritime border against narcotrafficking threats," said Cmdr. James L. Jarnac, Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk commanding officer. "The strength of our joint collaboration and partnerships is key to a safer Caribbean Region and disrupting transnational criminal organization activities through the interdiction of drug smuggling vessel’s in the maritime domain."