WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier offloaded 664 pounds of seized cocaine off the coast of Dorado, Puerto Rico last week.
According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), six smugglers attempted to transport the $3.5 million of cocaine before Coast Guard interception. The group was later apprehended and transferred to Coast Guard Investigative Services and FBI Special Agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on Saturday and are awaiting sentencing.
The expedition was part of a multi-agency effort supporting the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, USCG says. The smugglers are now facing various criminal charges including conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If found guilty, the smugglers will face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum life imprisonment.
The incident unfolded onOctober 13, when the Coast Guard crew of HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a suspicious 25-foot speeding vessel in international waters north of Dorado, Puerto Rico., coast guard crews state. After detection,a boat was deployed to confront the small boat and smugglers. During the pursuit, passengers aboard the suspect vessel were seen tossing suspected contraband cargo overboard.
After the subjects were apprehended, Joseph Napier’s crew recovered the six bales, and one package of cargo which tested positive for cocaine, USCG says.
