Aiexpress – U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations announced Friday that 384 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $4.3 million were confiscated near Mona Island in Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Three individuals were arrested.
“This successful interdiction near Mona Island is a testament to the dedication of our Air and Marine agents,” said Acting AIr and Marine Operations Caribbean director Creighton Skeen in a statement. “Our collective efforts have dealt a significant blow to criminal enterprises seeking to exploit our maritime borders for illicit activities.”
During a routine air patrol, authorities noticed a sailboat near Mona Island heading east without lights. While the aircraft monitored the vessel, a marine unit was allowed to approach it.
People aboard the boat began dropping things overboard, according to officials. Two Dominicans and one Venezuelan were arrested.
Denise Foster, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Caribbean Division, said in a statement, “We will continue to work with our counterparts and allocate all of our law enforcement resources to make a greater impact in vulnerable areas where criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking are causing greater damage.” These individuals represent the most serious threat to our citizens’ safety and health.”
The Marines recovered three bundles that had been flung overboard.
The three people apprehended are currently in the custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
