SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos offloaded 551 pounds of seized cocaine Tuesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard 7th District said July 5.
Three men, one Venezuelan and two Dominican Republic nationals, apprehended in this case are facing federal prosecution in Puerto Rico.
The interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. The seized cocaine has an estimated wholesale value of approximately $5.2 million.
During the morning of June 30, the crew of a Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft detected a “yola” type vessel navigating towards Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted the cutter Joseph Doyle that arrived on scene and stopped the suspect vessel.
The Coast Guard crew apprehended the three men and embarked eight bales from the suspect vessel that tested positive for cocaine. The seized contraband was later transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos for delivery to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“This successful interdiction is due to the strong collaboration between the Coast Guard and our fellow federal law enforcement partners,” said Capt. José E. Díaz, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “We will continue to do our utmost to stop drug smuggling vessels at sea and protect the nation’s southernmost maritime border from illicit trafficking.”
The apprehended smugglers face federal prosecution in Puerto Rico. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.
