SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC) — The United States (US) Coast Guard says it has seized an estimated 725 pounds of cocaine worth US$5.4 million in the Caribbean Sea.

It said that the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier offloaded the drugs, noting that the interdiction was the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force.

Five suspected smugglers from the Dominican Republic, who were detained during the operation, have been handed over to the Dominican Republic Navy.

The US Coast Guard said that the operation took place on April 28, when the crew of a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations multi-role enforcement aircraft detected a suspicious 35-foot go-fast vessel in international waters north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

During the pursuit, the Coast Guard said the suspected smugglers attempted to flee the scene while jettisoning suspected contraband cargo overboard.

The US Coast Guard said the seized contraband tested positive for cocaine.

“This was an excellent case that would not have been possible without the support provided by Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch,” said Lieutenant John Groen, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer.

“Their flight remained on scene for several hours and communicated flawlessly with the pursuit team. I am so incredibly proud of the entire Joseph Napier crew’s outstanding performance.

“The interdiction highlights Sector San Juan and the Seventh Coast Guard District’s unwavering commitment to combat drug trafficking organisations and secure America’s maritime borders.”

The US Coast Guard said the specific mission of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF) is to “identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organisations”.