US Coast Guard seizes $5.5 million in cocaine off Puerto Rico

The United States Coast Guard intercepted a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the seizure of 489 pounds of cocaine. The narcotics are valued at approximately US$5.5 million.

The interception occurred north of Isabela, Puerto Rico, after an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Miami detected a high-speed vessel. The cutter Winslow Griesser was dispatched to intercept the craft and secure the shipment.

Three men—two nationals from the Dominican Republic and one Chinese national—were detained and handed over to federal authorities in San Juan for investigation. The operation was conducted as part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, which aims to disrupt drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.