US$22 million worth of cocaine seized in Caribbean waters

CMC – United States law enforcement officials said they had arrested three people and seized more than 900 kilogrammes of cocaine during operations in the Caribbean Sea this week.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), together with the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF), said they had arrested three Dominican Republic nationals for drug trafficking, seized 918 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than US$22 million.

“In less than one month, HSI and its partners in the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force have seized more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine,” said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of HIS.

“These seizures and related arrests are clear proof that HSI, along with our state and federal partners, are vigilant and will not tolerate the importation of illegal drugs into the United States through Puerto Rico,” he added.

Melendez said, on Monday, the Puerto Rico Police Department's (PRPD) United Forces for Rapid Action (FURA), working jointly with CCSF partners, intercepted a twin-engine vessel with 811 bricks of cocaine.

He said the three Dominican Republic nationals have been transferred to the Puerto Rico Metropolitan Detention Center to await the outcome of their case.

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