AMO seizes more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine and arrests 3 Venezuelan aliens near Maunabo, Puerto Rico

FAJARDO, Puerto Rico — Air and Marine Operations (AMO), an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nabbed a yola-type vessel Saturday arresting 3 aliens from the Venezuela and seizing 1,009 pounds (457.8 kilograms) of cocaine in southeastern Puerto Rico.  The estimated value of the seized cocaine is $8.2 million.  

At midnight on July 12, a Caribbean Air and Marine Operations asset detected a suspect vessel navigating north approximately 6 nautical miles south of Punta Tuna, Maunabo, Puerto Rico.  The AMO Fajardo Marine unit deployed the crew of a Coastal Interceptor Vessel crew as well as Marine Interdiction Agents, by vehicle, to the vicinity of Punta Tuna. 

The AMO vessel crew intercepted a yola-type vessel, which failed to heave, making landfall in Playa Mario, Maunabo.  Marine Interdiction Agents arrested three Venezuelan nationals without proper documentation to enter or remain in the United States legally and seized a total of 16 bales of cocaine.

The aliens and the contraband were transferred to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for investigation and prosecution.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.