The United States Coast Guard says a joint law enforcement team, comprising its members and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, discovered and seized about 306 pounds of cocaine concealed among a shipment of cocoa beans coming from the Dominican Republic.
On Friday, the Coast Guard said the team was conducting cargo examinations aboard the cargo ship Michaela, when they discovered three duffel bags stowed among a shipment of cocoa beans.
The bags contained 125 brick-like objects that tested positive for the properties of cocaine, the Coast Guard said.
“This is a significant seizure, with a significant street value,” said Coast Guard Captain Jeffrey Dixon, acting Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey.
“The ongoing partnership between the Coast Guard and CBP continues to produce results that protect the American public,” he added. “This intercept prevents a large quantity of drugs from getting to the streets and into the hands of our children.”
The Coast Guard said its personnel and CBP officers commonly board vessels in joint operations in an effort to deter drug smuggling and other illegal activity from the Caribbean and other places.
The cocaine and all other evidence have been turned over to the US Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis and investigation.
It said the estimated street value of the seized cocaine is approximately US$5.5 million.
Source-CMC
