U.S. Border Patrol Arrests Two U.S. Citizens in Cross-Border Maritime Drug Smuggling Attempt

More than $144K of Marijuana Seized

San Diego, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizens, a 19-year-old male and 18-year-old female, yesterday for smuggling more than 240 pounds of marijuana inside a boat at Shelter Island.

Marijuana found in consoles of boat near Shelter Island.

At about 5:15 p.m., agents spotted a suspicious boat with two individuals onboard near Shelter Island. After the boat docked, agents questioned the boaters and became suspicious of their nervous demeanor.

A Border Patrol canine team performed a cursory inspection of the vessel resulting in a positive alert to the driver and passenger consoles. Agents searched the vessel and discovered 100 bundles of marijuana inside the consoles with a total weight of 241.2 pounds and an estimated street value of $144,720.

The suspected smugglers, drugs, and vessel were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to Homeland Security Investigations Marine Task Force.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.