Santo Domingo.- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Agents assisted Puerto Rico Police Department partners to intercept and seize 1,744 pounds (791 kilos) of cocaine, and arrest 5 US citizens in the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico.
The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is $ 22.1 million. “Our agents remain vigilant to support our Operation Stonegarden partners in Puerto Rico,” stated Ramiro Cerrillo, Ramey Sector Chief Patrol Agent. “Providing grant funding for their operations and sharing capabilities has immediate returns.”
Ramey Sector Border Patrol Agents responded to a call for assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Department’s Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish acronym) maritime unit which was in pursuit of a suspect vessel near the town of Patillas.
The vessel made landfall at Inches Beach, Patillas, where PRPD and Border Patrol agents arrested five men who claimed to be US Citizens. Inside the vessel 34 bundles were found that field tested positive to the properties of cocaine. A firearm and three vehicles were also seized.
The subjects, conveyances, firearm and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for prosecution and further disposition.