Man Arrested After $4.8 Million Worth of Cocaine Found in Puerto Rico

A man was arrested by the U.S. Coast Guard after authorities discovered 237.75 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately $4.8 million, on a vessel off the northern coast of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The seizure occurred on Tuesday, with the arrest taking place on Thursday.

According to a statement from Commander Ross Markham of the Joseph Tezanos cutter, the operation highlighted effective teamwork and interoperability among partners of the San Juan National Security Task Force. Crew members from the Coast Guard vessels Joseph Tezanos and Isaac Mayo, along with law enforcement partners, not only detained the individual but also confiscated a firearm and nine bales of cocaine.

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This case highlights the excellent teamwork between four maritime units and the effective interoperability between partners of the San Juan National Security Task Force.

The arrested individual faces federal charges for drug trafficking and firearm possession. The National Security Task Force (HSTF), established under Executive Order 14159, aims to dismantle criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating in and around the United States. The HSTF emphasizes investigating and prosecuting those involved in human trafficking, particularly involving children, and expelling violent foreign offenders.

Drug seizures are frequent in the waters off Puerto Rico, as the Mona Passage, separating the archipelago from the Dominican Republic, is a common route for drug trafficking. The HSTF is an interagency alliance dedicated to combating these criminal networks.

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The combination of collective expertise and available resources allowed for a safe boarding and the discovery of cocaine aboard the barge, which further deters smuggling organizations from using arriving commercial vessels to conduct human and drug trafficking activities within our area of responsibility.