Coast Guard transferred custody of two suspected smugglers and multiple bales of cocaine to federal law enforcement authorities at Coast Guard Sector San Juan in San Juan, Puerto Rico Nov. 10, 2016. In total, 1,158 pounds of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of $13.1 million were seized as a result multi-agency law enforcement efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve and Operation Caribbean Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist)
Coast Guard transferred custody of two suspected smugglers and multiple bales of cocaine to federal law enforcement authorities at Coast Guard Sector San Juan in San Juan, Puerto Rico Nov. 10, 2016. In total, 1,158 pounds of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of $13.1 million were seized as a result multi-agency law enforcement efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve and Operation Caribbean Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Coast Guardsmen offloaded and transferred custody of two suspected smugglers and approximately 1,158 pounds of cocaine to federal law enforcement authorities at U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan Thursday.
The seized contraband is estimated to have a wholesale value of $13.1 million.
The interdiction and seizure of contraband was the result of ongoing multi-agency law enforcement efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve and Operation Caribbean Guard.
During the evening of Nov. 3, 2016, the crew of a Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft on a routine patrol located a suspicious go-fast vessel just off Puerto Rico.
The Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge was diverted to interdict the suspect vessel. The cutter crew interdicted the go-fast, detained the two suspected smugglers and seized numerous bales which tested positive for cocaine.
“The strong interagency relationships and integration of the Fast Response Cutter are delivering exceptional results in stopping illegal drug trafficking at-sea throughout our area of responsibility,” said Capt. Robert W. Warren, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “Our collective efforts seek to secure our nation’s maritime border as we protect the citizens of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from this threat.”
The Coast Guard and Caribbean Border Interagency Group interagency partners working in support of Operation Caribbean Guard removed more than 68,000 pounds of cocaine worth over $775 million in Fiscal Year 2016, which ran from Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016.
The Coast Guard’s efforts under Operation Unified Resolve contribute to the interagency results being achieved locally each and every day under Operation Caribbean Guard, which coordinates efforts between the Coast Guard, DHS and the Commonwealth and Territorial law enforcement partners, who are working diligently to deter, detect and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge is a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter homeported in Miami.