Special Agent in Charge Joseph González, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office, announced the arrest of Edgardo Luis Matos Santos (MATOS SANTOS), Osvaldo Hernandez Camacho (HERNANDEZ CAMACHO), and Nelson Rivera Suarez (RIVERA SUAREZ).
Matos Santos, Hernandez Camacho, and Rivera Suárez were charged under a complaint with violations of Title 46, United States Code, Sections 70503(a)(1) and 70506(b), as well as Title 21, United States Code, United States Code Section 960(b)(1)(B) (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine while on board a covered vessel.
The subjects were arrested by special agents of the FBI San Juan Field Office, for events which took place on the morning of Thursday, November 17, 2022, when CBP Agents intervened with a suspicious vessel which was traveling towards the coast of Cabo Rojo.
The CBP Air and Marine Operations agents were conducting a routine inspection of the vessel when a gunfire exchange ensued between agents and the subjects on board. Three CBP agents were wounded during the exchange; one of them fatally, while the other two were taken to Centro Medico where they are currently being treated for their wounds.
“Our Air and Marine Operations agents and mission support personnel excel every day to safeguard our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats at our coastal borders and beyond,” indicated Augusto Reyes, Director of CBP Air and Marine Operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Even with this incident, our collective resolve is unwavering to protect our island and uphold our laws.”
“This is a tragic event,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We are going to ensure that those responsible are held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Gottfried, Chief of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section, Max J. Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, and Jeanette M. Collazo. The ongoing investigation is being handled by the FBI San Juan Field Office.
The FBI would like to thank our colleagues at FURA – Police of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Coast Guard, and all other state and federal agencies, for their continuous support of the FBI mission and their assistance in this case.
“As law enforcement Agents, we all know the risks of our profession, but it doesn’t make the loss of a colleague any less painful,” said Joseph Gonzalez. “The FBI is committed to continuing investigating this case, to ensure justice is served. We remind the public that, anyone with information should reach out immediately and may do so anonymously.”
Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s Internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.Gov Tipsters can remain anonymous.
The public is reminded a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Original source can be found here.
