Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, intercepted a yola-type vessel on Saturday near Maunabo, Puerto Rico. The operation resulted in the arrest of three Venezuelan nationals and the seizure of 1,009 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $8.2 million.
The incident began at midnight on July 12 when AMO assets detected a suspicious vessel about six nautical miles south of Punta Tuna, Maunabo. In response, the AMO Fajardo Marine unit dispatched a Coastal Interceptor Vessel crew and Marine Interdiction Agents to the area.
The AMO team intercepted the vessel, which did not comply with orders to stop and eventually made landfall at Playa Mario, Maunabo. The agents arrested three individuals from Venezuela who lacked proper documentation for legal entry into the United States. They also seized 16 bales of cocaine found on board.
Both the detained individuals and the seized contraband were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation and prosecution.
"AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond," said an AMO spokesperson.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes itself as America's frontline agency with over 65,000 employees dedicated to protecting national borders across air, land, and sea while facilitating safe travel and trade.
