CBP, Coast Guard Seize Nearly 1,800 Pounds of Cocaine Off Puerto Rico

During a routine patrol, the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba detected a suspicious go-fast vessel and launched a boat crew to investigate. Courtesy of the JIATFS

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized more than 1,300 pounds of cocaine from a boat south of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, in an Oct. 7 operation, the agency announced Oct. 21.

The drugs had an estimated value of $9.4 million, CBP said in a statement.

Ponce Air and Marine Operations crews intercepted a yola-type vessel carrying three people identified as Venezuelan nationals, who were taken into custody with the vessel and transported to the Ponce port of entry for further examination.

Field tests confirmed the seized contraband was cocaine.

“Air and Marine Operations remains committed to protecting Puerto Rico’s maritime borders and disrupting transnational criminal organizations that seek to move dangerous contraband through the Caribbean,” said Christopher Hunter, director of the CBP’s Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

“This seizure reflects the value of coordinated maritime enforcement and the vigilance of our personnel and partner agencies.”

During fiscal year 2026, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) enforcement actions conducted with law enforcement agencies resulted in the seizure of more than 183,000 pounds of cocaine.

“Smugglers attempting to move narcotics into the United States should understand that AMO and its partners are actively monitoring the air and maritime approaches to our borders,” CBP said.

Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The Homeland Security Task Force will lead the investigation and prosecution.

CBP employs more than 70,000 people and describes itself as the nation’s largest law enforcement organization and the world’s first unified border management agency.

In a separate operation, the U.S. Coast Guard reported Oct. 19 that its cutter Winslow Griesser had offloaded 480 pounds of cocaine seized from a suspected drug-smuggling boat in Atlantic waters off Puerto Rico on Oct. 10.

The drugs had an estimated wholesale value of $5.5 million.

The operation began when a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft on routine patrol spotted a suspected go-fast vessel in waters north of Isabela, Puerto Rico.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector San Juan diverted the Winslow Griesser to intercept the vessel.

“Once on scene, the Winslow Griesser crew stopped the vessel, seized the contraband, and embarked the three men who were aboard,” the Coast Guard reported.

Federal agents arrested the three men, identified as two Dominican Republic nationals and one Chinese national, pending further investigation.

“We are proud of our Coast Guard watch standers, our aircrew and the cutter Winslow Griesser crew for achieving a successful interdiction,” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Sector San Juan’s chief of response.

“This interdiction demonstrates the proficiency of our operational crews and valued partners who work tirelessly to intercept deadly narcotics before they reach our shores, protect our citizens, and dismantle the criminal networks that threaten our region.”

The Coast Guard operation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative Protecting the American People Against Invasion.