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Federal agents recently intercepted a boat carrying $33 million worth of cocaine off the small Puerto Rican island of Vieques. The seizure occurred early Wednesday when unidentified individuals abandoned the vessel on a beach and escaped, according to U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officials. The vessel, retrieved from shallow waters, along with the narcotics, is now under FBI custody for further investigation.
Vieques, known for its popularity as a tourist spot, lies just east of the main island of Puerto Rico. Christopher Hunter, director of Air and Marine Operations in the Caribbean, emphasized that the operation is a testament to the ongoing efforts in securing U.S. borders and protecting citizens from illegal drugs.
The confiscation is part of a continued crackdown on drug smuggling in the region. Just days prior, over $5 million in cocaine was seized near Rincon, Puerto Rico, resulting in the arrest of two U.S. citizens. Another significant bust occurred last week south of Puerto Rico where $6 million worth of cocaine was seized and two Dominicans were apprehended.
July also recorded a substantial capture near Rincon, where Puerto Rico police seized cocaine valued at $4.6 million. Puerto Rico remains a critical gateway for drugs entering the U.S. mainland and Europe.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Coast Guard reported significant drug interceptions, including over 4,800 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $63 million offloaded in Florida. They also dropped off cocaine worth approximately $468 million in San Diego, accumulated from various operations off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America.
Moreover, bricks of cocaine have been discovered washing ashore along Florida’s coastline several times since the beginning of the year, highlighting the persistent challenges posed by drug trafficking routes through the Caribbean.