SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Federal agents on Wednesday seized $33 million worth of cocaine aboard a boat that was trying to smuggle the drug into the tiny Puerto Rican island of Vieques, according to officials.
More than 3,600 pounds (1,670 kilograms) were confiscated in the pre-dawn hours after unidentified people aboard the boat beached it and fled the area, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Vieques is located just east of Puerto Rico and is a popular tourist destination.
The seizure comes just days after U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Puerto Rico police seized more than $5 million worth of cocaine aboard a boat near the western coastal town of Rincon. More than 580 pounds (260 kilograms) were confiscated, and two U.S. citizens were arrested on Sunday, officials said.
Puerto Rico has long served as a transit point for drugs being smuggled into the U.S. mainland and Europe.
Federal agents recently made a major drug bust on a well-known Puerto Rican island, confiscating a staggering $33 million worth of cocaine. The operation, which took place on the island of Vieques, was a significant blow to drug traffickers operating in the region.
The bust was the result of a joint operation between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies. Acting on a tip, agents were able to intercept a large shipment of cocaine that was being smuggled into the island. The drugs were hidden in a cargo container that was being transported by boat.
The seizure of such a large quantity of cocaine is a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking in Puerto Rico. The island has long been a key transit point for drugs entering the United States, due to its strategic location in the Caribbean. The DEA has been working tirelessly to disrupt these trafficking routes and dismantle the criminal organizations behind them.
The bust on Vieques is just the latest in a series of successful operations carried out by federal agents in Puerto Rico. In recent years, authorities have seized millions of dollars worth of drugs and arrested numerous individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. These efforts have helped to disrupt the flow of drugs into the United States and protect communities from the devastating impact of drug addiction.
The confiscation of $33 million worth of cocaine on Vieques is a clear demonstration of the dedication and effectiveness of federal law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking. By working together with local authorities and leveraging intelligence and technology, agents are able to target and dismantle criminal organizations that seek to profit from the sale of illegal drugs.
The successful operation on Vieques serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by drug trafficking in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region. It also highlights the importance of continued cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies in order to combat this scourge and protect communities from the harmful effects of drug abuse.
