Coast Guard Offloads $12 Million in Seized Cocaine, 2 Suspects, After Interdicting Drug Smugglers at Sea

By  //  August 9, 2020

The estimated wholesale value of the seized drug shipment is more than $12 million

ABOVE VIDEO: The Coast Guard transferred custody of two suspected smugglers and 430 kilograms of seized cocaine to federal law enforcement authorities at Sector San Juan Wednesday, following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast in the Caribbean Sea.

(U.S. COAST GUARD) – The Coast Guard transferred custody of two suspected smugglers and 430 kilograms of seized cocaine to federal law enforcement authorities at Sector San Juan Wednesday, following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast in the Caribbean Sea.

The interdiction was the result of multi-agency efforts in support of U.S. Southern Command’s enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico is leading the prosecution for this case.

The estimated wholesale value of the seized drug shipment is more than $12 million.

“The positive outcome in this case is a reflection of the professionalism and unwavering resolve of the Richard Dixon crew and of our fellow Coastguardsmen and federal law enforcement partners involved in this case,” said Lt. Matthew Monahan, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon (WPC-1113) commanding officer.

“Our collective efforts resulted in preventing 430 kilograms of cocaine from reaching the streets and the apprehension of two smugglers who will now have their day in court.”

The interdiction occurred Sunday afternoon following the detection of a suspicious 30-foot go-fast vessel, with two people aboard, by the crew of a patrolling a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft. (Coast Guard image)

The interdiction occurred Sunday afternoon following the detection of a suspicious 30-foot go-fast vessel, with two people aboard, by the crew of a patrolling a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft.

The cutter Richard Dixon responded to the sighting and interdicted the go-fast with the assistance of the cutter’s small boat. Cutter Richard Dixon’s boarding team located 21 bales of suspected contraband aboard the go-fast that the smugglers attempted to conceal with a blue tarp.

The boarding team placed the two men in custody and embarked them aboard the cutter along with the seized contraband.

The seized cocaine, destined for the United States, and two detainees were later transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier (WPB-1115) and transported to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where CCSF federal law enforcement agents received custody.

Cutters Richard Dixon and Joseph Napier are 154-foot fast response cutters homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

BUSTED! U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare Offloads 5,000 Pounds of Cocaine, MarijuanaRelated Story:
BUSTED! U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare Offloads 5,000 Pounds of Cocaine, Marijuana
The Coast Guard transferred custody of two suspected smugglers and 430 kilograms of seized cocaine to federal law enforcement authorities at Sector San Juan Wednesday, following the interdiction of a drug smuggling go-fast in the Caribbean Sea. (Coast Guard image)
The interdiction was the result of multi-agency efforts in support of U.S. Southern Command’s enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF). (Coast Guard image)

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS