On March 11, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents seized 16.5 pounds of cocaine from a ship at the Port of Norfolk, Va., with an estimated value of nearly a quarter-million dollars, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced.

The drug seizure was the result of a collaborative effort between HSI Norfolk’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) and Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team, the announcement states.

“With this seizure, we not only removed a significant amount of cocaine from circulation, but we also sent a message to drug traffickers that the Port of Norfolk is closed for business,” said HSI D.C. Special Agent in Charge Ray Villanueva. “We are proud to have partnered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make this seizure happen. When our organizations work together, we represent a formidable threat to drug traffickers and a reminder to the American public that they are well protected.”

On March 10, CBP agents received a tip informing them that a vessel scheduled to arrive might contain narcotics. When it arrived, personnel from both organizations boarded the ship to conduct an inspection where they discovered seven bricks of narcotics that field-tested positive for cocaine.

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is the main investigative arm of the Department of Homeland security.  HSI is responsible for investigating transitional crimes.  BEST serves as a multi-agency task force responsible for combatting existing and emerging transnational criminal organizations seeking to exploit U.S. international borders.