SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC) – The United States Coast Guard says the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos recently offloaded 388 pounds of cocaine, with a wholesale value of US$4.3 million (J$668 million), which was seized in the Caribbean Sea.

The Coast Guard said it also transferred custody of two smugglers to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico following the seizure. It said the interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force.

The apprehended smugglers are US citizens, who face federal prosecution in Puerto Rico on criminal charges, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

The charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

The US Coast Guard said, during the morning of September 28, the crew of a US Coast aircraft detected a suspicious 22-foot sport-craft vessel in the Caribbean Sea navigating towards Rincón, Puerto Rico.

Denise Foster, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Caribbean Division, said: “This operation underscores the incredible power of collaboration between agencies like the DEA, Coast Guard, and our federal and local partners.”

“It is through this unified effort that we can effectively combat transnational criminal organisations and disrupt their illegal activities,” she noted.

“The teamwork demonstrated in this case is a shining example of how, when we come together with a shared mission, we strengthen our ability to protect the citizens of Puerto Rico, the US mainland and abroad from the scourge of drug trafficking. These partnerships are not just critical; they are the cornerstone of our success in keeping our communities safe,” Foster added.