U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens recently praised the efforts of agents in Puerto Rico and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Maritime Operations (AMO) for a significant cocaine seizure, via an announcement on social media platform X.

Chief Owens said, "1/17: USBP & AMO agents in Culebra, PR interdicted a maritime smuggling event. The agents found 74 bricks of #Cocaine weighing over 187 lbs. with a street value of over $5.8M aboard the vessel. Great Job by @USBPChiefRMY & @CBPAMO."

In September 2023, CBP officers seized 71 pounds of cocaine hidden within six ice cream machines on a boat that originated from the Dominican Republic, according to a news release. The drugs had an estimated street value of $768,000. The officers discovered the concealed narcotics during a routine inspection of freight from the marine vessel KYDON. After a field test validated the substance as cocaine, it was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.

Roberto Vaquero, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands stated, "Illicit narcotics are concealed by transnational criminal organizations among legitimate cargo to try to avoid detection." He added that "Our CBP officers use technology, as well as their training and expertise to discover the concealment methods and avoid these dangerous drugs from reaching our communities."

In October 2023, AMO agents intercepted a boat south of Patillas, Puerto Rico carrying 3,382 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $35 million. Three men from the Dominican Republic and Colombia were aboard the vessel.

Creighton Skeen, acting director of Air and Marine Operations at the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB), said "Smugglers continue to try to introduce narcotics through Puerto Rico. AMO remains resolute to leverage its resources, technology, and maritime domain awareness to be able to intercept these incursions throughout the island."