The crew of a CAMB maritime patrol aircraft initially detected a 30-foot go-fast vessel Saturday afternoon, transiting with two people onboard and visible packages on deck, south of Patillas, Puerto Rico.

USCG watchstanders in Sector San Juan then diverted the Cutter ‘Richard Dixon’ to intercept the suspect vessel, while CAMB and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action positioned marine units that were also ready to respond.

The Richard Dixon arrived on scene and interdicted the go-fast, detained the suspected smugglers and seized multiple bales of contraband, which tested positive for cocaine.

The crew of the Richard Dixon later rendezvoused with and transferred the contraband and detainees to the USCG Cutter ‘Heriberto Hernandez’ for transport to USCG Sector San Juan, where Drug Enforcement Administration Financial Investigative Team Special Agents in charge of the investigation took custody of the case.

The two men apprehended in this case, a US Citizen from Puerto Rico and a Dominican Republic national, are now in the custody of federal law enforcement authorities in Puerto Rico, where they are facing potential prosecution, the USCG informed. Capt. Eric P. King, Sector San Juan commander, commented:

This successful interdiction resulted in the detention of two smugglers and kept a major drug shipment off the streets.