CBP seizes 49 bricks of cocaine

Found in hidden compartment of fiberglass vessel

San Juan, Puerto Rico – A team effort amongst U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) components resulted in the seizure today of 49 bricks of cocaine hidden inside a fiberglass vessel intercepted 12 nautical miles northwest of the western island of Desecheo.

During a Border Security patrol, a CBP aircraft detected a Dominican "Michera" type fishing vessel, approximately 30' long, stationed in the Mona Passage, without navigational lights and two individuals on board.

The vessel rendezvoused with another 20' long, fiberglass commercial vessel with two individuals on board.

The subjects on the "Michera" vessel were observed by the CBP aircraft handing what appeared to be bags to the persons on the other vessel.

Both vessels departed, with the 20’ vessel taking an eastern route towards Puerto Rico.

A CBP marine unit intercepted the vessel 12 nautical miles northwest of Desecheo Island.

The vessel was brought to shore where a CBP Field Operations X-ray revealed a hidden compartment.

Forty-nine bricks of suspected narcotics were found which field tested positive to cocaine.

Custody of the narcotics and the two suspects were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.

CBP Field Operations, Border Patrol and Air & Marine components work together to detect and prevent that dangerous narcotics enter through our borders.

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.