
(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – In a stunning victory for American security, the U.S. Coast Guard has dealt a massive blow to drug traffickers after seizing nearly 400 pounds of cocaine off the coast of Puerto Rico.
This major bust, valued at a whopping $4.3 million, demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our brave maritime officers to protect the country from the threat of illegal drugs.
On September 28, the vigilant crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos spotted a suspicious vessel in international waters heading towards Rincón, Puerto Rico.
The crew acted swiftly to intercept the boat and discovered a shocking cache of 142 brick-sized packages of cocaine.
This seizure is part of the ongoing efforts of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, a multi-agency task force focused on fighting drug trafficking in the region.
Two U.S. citizens were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt and now face federal charges that could land them behind bars for life.
This latest bust is just one in a string of recent victories against drug cartels operating in the Caribbean.
Earlier in September, law enforcement discovered $33 million worth of cocaine washed up on a Puerto Rican beach.
Additionally, a boat carrying 660 pounds of the illicit substance was intercepted in August.
“I congratulate the United States Coast Guard personnel for this successful interdiction of an international drug smuggling venture,” said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow in a news release. “We greatly appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard’s unwavering support and dedication to keeping Puerto Rico and our nation safe.”
As a known transit point for drugs headed for the U.S. and beyond, Puerto Rico serves as a crucial frontline in the war against narcotics.
The Coast Guard’s presence in these waters is essential to prevent illegal substances from flooding into our communities.
In a separate major bust, the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered offloaded over 1,380 pounds of cocaine in Miami Beach, with an estimated street value of $18.1 million.
This massive haul was the result of a daring operation in the Caribbean Sea, where Coast Guard personnel pursued and captured a go-fast vessel.
“This not only showcases the threat posed by dangerous cartels, gangs and criminal groups that make up extensive transitional organized crime networks, but it also highlights the commitment of the Coast Guard and its interagency partner’s efforts to detect, interdict, investigate and prosecute operatives for these criminal networks,” said U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander Vice Adm. Karl Schultz.
As America celebrates these successes, the ongoing nature of this battle means the fight is far from over.
The cartels are constantly adapting their tactics, employing improved methods to smuggle their deadly cargo.
From high-speed boats to semi-submersible “narco subs,” these criminals will stop at nothing to push their poison onto American streets.
But make no mistake: Coast Guard and law enforcement agencies are up to the challenge.
With each seizure, each arrest and each successful operation, they send a clear message to drug traffickers around the world: America’s waters are closed for your business.
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