Suspected Smuggler, 9 Bales Of Cocaine Found On Barge Offshore Puerto Rico

U.S. Coast Guard crews and Homeland Security Task Force personnel apprehended a stowaway and seized nearly $5 million worth of cocaine from a barge offshore Puerto Rico.

On Tuesday, June 10, crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutters Joseph Tezanos and Isaac Mayo conducted an at-sea boarding of the Crimson Clover Barge off the northern coast of Arecibo, as it transited toward San Juan Harbor.

Boarding team members discovered a stowaway, a firearm, and nine bales of cocaine weighing approximately 524 pounds. The estimated wholesale value of the cocaine is $4.8 million, according to the Coast Guard.

The suspected smuggler, firearm, and cocaine were turned over to Homeland Security Task Force San Juan law enforcement officers at Coast Guard Base San Juan.

“This case highlights excellent teamwork across four maritime units and efficient interoperability between Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan partners,” said aid Lt. Cmdr. Ross Markham, Cutter Joseph Tezanos Commanding Officer. “A collective pool of experience and available assets led to a safe boarding and a discovery of cocaine aboard the barge, which further deters smuggling organizations from exploiting incoming commercial vessels to conduct human and drug trafficking activities within our area of responsibility.”