Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces for Rapid Action (FURA) intercepted a vessel carrying 62 bales of cocaine near Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, on August 6, 2025. The authorities arrested three individuals from Colombia and Panama who were attempting to smuggle the drugs into the area.
The operation began when a Caribbean Air and Marine Operations asset detected a suspicious vessel moving north toward Lajas and Cabo Rojo. In response, the Michel Maceda Marine unit deployed both a Coastal Interceptor Vessel crew and a FURA Marine unit.
The joint teams intercepted an Eduardoño yola-type vessel about two nautical miles off the coast near the “la Pitahaya” sector of Cabo Rojo. According to officials, "Marine Interdiction Agents arrested 2 Colombian and 1 Panamanian nationals, without proper documentation to enter or remain in the United States legally and seized a total of 60 extra-large bales and 2 large bales of cocaine."
Both the detained individuals and the confiscated drugs were handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Authorities reported that "the 60 bales contained 1,789.1 kilograms (3,944.3 pounds) of cocaine. The estimated value of the seized contraband is approximately $30.4 million."
AMO continues its mission by addressing security threats through aviation and maritime law enforcement operations across various regions including Puerto Rico.
The Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit was named in memory of a Marine Interdiction Agent who died during a drug interdiction operation in November 2022.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains one of America's primary law enforcement agencies with more than 65,000 personnel responsible for securing borders on land, air, and sea.
