SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC) — The United States (US) Coast Guard has offloaded 664 pounds of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of US$3.5 million, seized in the Caribbean Sea.

In addition, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier transferred custody of six smugglers to US Coast Guard Investigative Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

The US Coast Guard said the interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and that the smugglers face federal prosecution 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 coast guard said the charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.

The US Coast Guard said that on October 13, the crew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a suspicious 25-foot go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea and during the pursuit, the passengers aboard were observed jettisoning cargo overboard.

Following the interdiction, the crew recovered six bales and a single package of the jettisoned cargo, which tested positive for cocaine. The six persons onboard the vessel were apprehended.

“This successful narcotics interdiction highlights the importance of interoperability with our Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and Caribbean Border Interagency Group partners,” said Lieutenant Matthew Carmine.

“Every day, my crew and I are proud to stand the watch alongside our Department of Homeland Security partners as we continue to relentlessly combat drug trafficking and illegal migration throughout the waters of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”