US agents find 10K cocaine in ship sailed from Santo Domingo

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered late Tuesday afternoon a duffel bag containing 9 bricks of cocaine inside a container in the Port of San Juan. The bricks weighed 10.385 kilos (22.9 pounds) with an estimated street value of $249, 120.

“Smuggling organizations try to conceal their loads by any means possible and use many venues to avoid detection from law enforcement,” stated Juan Hurtado, San Juan Area Port Director. “Our officers remain vigilant managing all risk factors to deter these smuggling attempts.”

Upon inspection of containers on board of the vessel M/V Paradero arriving from Santo Domingo to the port of San Juan, CBP officers found the black duffel bag containing the cocaine near the door comingled with the rest of the cargo.

As a result of the seizure, an individual, who works as a security guard at the port was arrested.

CBP Officers contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, who responded and took custody of the seized narcotics. The HSI investigation is ongoing.