San Juan.- The United States Border Patrol in Puerto Rico (
CBP) announced that it seized more than 420 kilos of cocaine, valued at more than $6.7 million on the black market, on a vessel from the Dominican Republic.
“Our agents remain vigilant and committed to protecting our borders, even during the holiday season,” stated Kian Tomas, director of the Port of San Juan, in a statement.
According to the authorities, the seizure took place on December 24 at the port facilities of San Juan when CBP agents were inspecting the cargo on board the passenger and cargo ship, they detected irregularities in the chassis of a platform.
The uniformed officers conducted a more thorough inspection, including a search with drug-sniffing dogs, which resulted in a positive alert for cocaine
“This seizure demonstrates the commitment and professionalism of our team to prevent dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” Tomas stated.
CBP agents extracted the drug in coordination with the Puerto Rico Police Department and the Homeland Security Investigations Office.
Drug seizures in the waters off the west coast of Puerto Rico are frequent, as the so-called Mona Passage, which separates this island from the Dominican Republic, is a route commonly used for drug trafficking.
