AMO Agents Find 475 Pounds of Cocaine Concealed Inside a Vessel at Las Croabas

FAJARDO, Puerto Rico- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) found Sunday 475 pounds (215.5 kilos) of cocaine concealed inside a vessel being removed from the water in Las Croabas. The estimated value is $4.3 million.

"Our agents continue to interdict unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments," Augusto Reyes, Director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

On May 8, Marine Interdiction Agents conducted a land patrol at the conducting a land patrol at Las Croabas Public Boat Ramp in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Agents inspected the occupants of a vessel being removed from the water using a truck and trailer. During the inspection one of the occupants admitted to entering the United States illegally from the Dominican Republic and the vessel operator admitted to returning from St. Thomas, USVI, and not reporting entry to CBP.

AMO agents requested assistance from a Puerto Rico Police Department K-9 who alerted to the presence of a smell it is trained to detect.

Agents inspected the vessel finding a hidden compartment containing 202 bricks of a white powdery substance which tested positive for the properties of cocaine.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents took custody of three men and the contraband for prosecution and investigation.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, and within the nation's interior.