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U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents recently intercepted a vessel near Mona Island in Puerto Rico. That single action resulted in the seizure of 451 pounds of cocaine worth over $4 million.
“At approximately 1:30 a.m., an AMO aircrew observed a small boat, known as a yola, with two outboard engines carrying multiple packages,” a CBP press release explained. “The AMO aircrew observed two individuals on board the yola.
“At 2:15 a.m., two AMO marine units from the Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit (MMMU) intercepted the vessel approximately 20 nautical miles southwest of Mona Island. The yola operator ignored repeated commands to stop their vessel, and instead began jettisoning packages of suspected narcotics into the water while making erratic evasive maneuvers to escape.”
Seven bales of suspected cocaine that had been jettisoned by the crew were then recovered and two individuals were detained and over to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents.
“This operation exemplifies the precision and commitment of our Air and Marine Operations personnel in interdicting narcotics being smuggled into Puerto Rico and to the United States,” said Christopher Hunter, Director of Air and Marine Operation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Through seamless coordination with our federal partners, we disrupted a significant drug smuggling attempt, furthering our mission to safeguard our communities from the flow of illegal and dangerous drugs.”
CBP AMO
Usually, drug smuggling operations that get busted with over a million dollars worth of narcotics at a United States border are trying to enter the country through the southern portion of nation in places like Puerto Rico, Texas or California. Not always though.
On Dec. 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized more than $1.1 million worth of cocaine found near the border in the northwestern state of Washington.
According to a CBP press release, “The incident occurred when agents on patrol discovered two black backpacks lying on the ground in a wooded area near the border in Lynden. Upon searching the backpacks, agents found 30 brick-like packages containing a white powdery substance. The substance was later tested and determined to be cocaine.”
Those 30 packages ended up containing 78 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of more than $1.1 million. The illegal narcotics were later turned over to the DEA.
“Thanks to the vigilance of Blaine Sector Border Patrol agents these dangerous narcotics were prevented from reaching our communities,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rosario “Pete” Vasquez. “Our agents work tirelessly day in and day out to protect this nation, and this seizure highlights that crucial commitment.”
#REPORT: Blaine Sector CBP discovered backpacks containing 78 Pounds of Cocaine in Wooded Area by the Canadian Border In Northwest Washington. Estimated Value of more than $1.1 million. pic.twitter.com/N06hwxHI3J
— 401_da_sarpanch (@401_da_sarpanch) December 26, 2024