Puerto Rico authorities intercept vessel and 328 lbs of cocaine; two men arrested
From Caribbean News Now
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) seized 328 lbs (149 kilos) of cocaine on Tuesday after intercepting a “yola” type vessel near Desecheo island and arresting two US citizens onboard. The estimated value of the cocaine is $4.2 million
A CBP DHC-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft crew detected a small 22-foot wooden “yola” vessel with one outboard engine and two persons onboard, approximately seven nautical miles west of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico, heading eastbound.
Two CBP Interceptors from the Mayaguez Marine Unit were deployed, reaching the vessel. The Marine Interceptor Agents observed the two men onboard throw packages overboard from a cooler. The agents intercepted the vessel and arrested the two men onboard.
The Caribbean Air and Marine Branch is the only federal law enforcement organization in the Caribbean Basin with integrated air and marine interdiction capabilities. It is charged with detection and interdiction of airborne and maritime smuggling and uses organic radar facilities to detect and intercept air smuggling attempts, and airborne radar tracking aircraft to detect maritime smugglers.
