AMO interdicts vessel smuggling 399 pounds of cocaine and 6 aliens from the Dominican Republic north of Puerto Rico

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico — Air and Marine Operations (AMO), an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, interdicted a vessel Monday arresting 6 aliens from the Dominican Republic and seizing 399 pounds (181 kilograms) of cocaine north of Hatillo, Puerto Rico. 

“This successful interdiction highlights the critical role maritime domain awareness plays in securing our borders,” said Christopher Hunter, Director of Air and Marine Operations in the Caribbean. “Through the strategic use of intelligence, surveillance assets, and interagency coordination, CBP Air and Marine Operations remains at the forefront of detecting and disrupting illicit activity in the region. Our teams are committed to protecting the homeland by stopping illegal migration and drug trafficking before they reach U.S. shores.”

On April 27, during patrol, the crew of a Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) Multirole Enforcement Aircraft detected an Eduardoño type vessel navigating without navigational lights approximately 50 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico.

The MEA contacted an AMO San Juan Marine Unit deploying a Coastal Interceptor vessel which reached the location where the vessel kept its route.  The vessel operator failed to heave until it was forcefully stopped 11 nautical miles north of Hatillo, PR.

Inside the vessel agents found a total of six aliens from the Dominican Republic without proper documentation to enter or remain in the United States legally and six bales of cocaine.

The contraband and the 6 aliens were transferred to the custody of Special Agents from the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) San Juan Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) for further processing.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.