Five nationals of the Dominican Republic have been nabbed with around US$6.3 million dollar in drugs near Puerto Rico.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the Dominicans were arrested after the vessel on which they were transporting the 661.37 (300 kilos) pounds of cocaine was intercepted about 50 miles north of the coast of Aguadilla Saturday afternoon.
The CBP said the twin-engine fiberglass vessel was spotted by one of its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft heading on a southeasterly course at approximately 10 knots.
“Two CBP marine interceptors, with Puerto Rico Police FURA agents on board, were launched to intercept the vessel along with a CBP medium lift helicopter that provided coverage for the marine units during the intercept,” it said in a statement.
“Upon obtaining visual contact with the suspect vessel, persons on board started throwing large bales overboard, forcing one marine unit to stop pursuit to recover the packages in the water.”
The vessel yielded to the CBP marine unit shortly after it attempted to elude the authorities.
Some 254 bricks of cocaine were found in the eight bales of contraband recovered from the water, while two bales were found onboard the vessel, the statement added.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations said they have assumed custody of the narcotics and the five individuals while investigations continue.
Caribbean 360 News
