Agents seize drugs from Dominican Rep. headed to US mainland

Press Release

San Juan, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers intercepted and seized Monday 5 pounds (2.34 kilograms) of cocaine, 2.2 pounds (1.03 kilogram) of oxycodone and 7 pounds (3.28 kilograms) of endocet, found concealed inside separate courier parcels sent from the Dominican Republic and destined for Connecticut and Rhode Island.

On Feb. 11, CBP officers selected for inspection several packages at the air cargo facility at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, where a K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics.

Inside one package, CBP Officers found cocaine inside a set of speakers.  In the other several cardboard rolls had diverse pills, which were later identified as oxycodone and endocet.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assumed custody of the contraband for further investigation.

“Officers work daily to detect concealments to smuggle contraband in Puerto Rico, which is intended to reach the U.S. mainland,” indicated Edwin Cruz, CBP’s San Juan Area Port Director.

CBP’s multi-layered, risk-based approach to interdict drugs at and in between our Ports of Entry (POEs)- including in the international mail and express consignment courier (ECC) environments- leverages targeting and intelligence-driven strategies that enhance the security of our borders and our country.