Federal agents confiscated $33 million worth of cocaine in a massive drug bust on the tourist island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
At a Glance
- Seizure of $33 million worth of cocaine
- Confiscation of more than 3,600 pounds of cocaine
- Escape of individuals aboard the boat
- Vieques, a popular tourist destination, was the seizure location
- Seizure took place in the pre-dawn hours
Seizure Details and Immediate Context
Federal agents on Wednesday seized $33 million worth of cocaine aboard a boat that was trying to smuggle the drug into the tiny Puerto Rican island of Vieques, according to officials.
More than 3,600 pounds (1,670 kilograms) were confiscated in the pre-dawn hours after unidentified people aboard the boat beached it and fled the area, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges that law enforcement agencies face in their efforts to combat narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean.
This significant seizure is another victory in the ongoing battle to protect public safety and uphold Vieques as a premier tourist destination.
Days earlier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Puerto Rico police seized over $5 million worth of cocaine near Rincon, Puerto Rico. In that operation, more than 580 pounds (260 kilograms) of cocaine were confiscated, and two U.S. citizens were arrested.
Operational Strategies and Collaborative Efforts
The recent bust on Vieques forms part of a larger, coordinated effort under operations such as Unified Resolve and Caribbean Guard. These initiatives aim to deter, detect, and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking targeting Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“The strong partnerships and excellent coordination between the Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and the federal law enforcement agencies involved in this case prevented this major drug shipment from reaching shore and delivered those responsible to justice,” said Capt. Robert W. Warren, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “Our collective efforts seek to secure our nation’s maritime border and protect the citizens of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from this threat.”
The operation demonstrates the importance of interagency collaboration in maintaining these strategic objectives.
The Broader Impact and Ongoing Challenges
Puerto Rico remains a critical transit point for drugs being smuggled into the U.S. mainland and Europe. The seizure in Vieques is indicative of the broader efforts to combat this pervasive issue. It’s a significant disruption to the operations of criminal networks and a step towards more secure borders.
“This is the result of a great and extraordinary interagency effort from the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force,” said Matt Donahue, Special Agent in Charge DEA Caribbean Division. “Undoubtedly, the cooperation in this joint investigation between DEA, FBI, HSI and USCG illustrates the great things law enforcement can achieve to combat drug trafficking in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Region.”
Earlier interdictions, such as the one involving the Cutter Joseph Napier offloading 901 pounds of cocaine in May 2023, also reflect the intensive and ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to intercept drug smuggling operations.
