On Tuesday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection made a significant discovery, uncovering 450 pounds of cocaine worth $4 million. The illicit substance was concealed within a container chassis situated inside the vessel named Blue Wave. This announcement was made on Wednesday, highlighting the successful efforts of the agency to combat drug trafficking.
Upon reaching Puerto Rico, the vessel had made its way from the Dominican Republic.
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Border agents were able to identify anomalies on the vessel and ultimately discover the cocaine, according to Roberto Vaquero, director of field operations for CPB in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In a statement, Vaquero emphasized the commitment of CBP officers in San Juan to safeguarding borders and ensuring the safety of communities. He hailed the seizure of 450 pounds of cocaine as a significant accomplishment in this regard.
Upon inspecting the chassis of a container scheduled for unlading, CBP officials noticed that something was amiss during a walk-through inspection at a pier. The agents’ intuition led them to believe that there was an issue with the container.
According to CBP officials, as soon as officers noticed any irregularities on the ship, they ordered a thorough investigation of the area. During the inspection, they uncovered 183 bricks made up of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.
After the discovery, the investigation was taken over by Homeland Security Investigations.
Vaquero pledged to work tirelessly, utilizing all available resources and intelligence, to combat illicit activities and safeguard the wellbeing of citizens.
Approximately two weeks ago, customs and border protection (CBP) agents in Texas reported two distinct cocaine seizures worth $379,000 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, followed by an interception of cocaine amounting to $214,000 at the Eagle Pass port of entry. This recent seizure adds to the growing list of successful efforts by CBP agents to curb the illegal transport of drugs across the border.
