Coast Guard offloads more than $ 1.2 million dollars worth of marijuana seized in Caribbean waters

News Release

May 19, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Contact: Coast Guard Puerto Rico PA Office Office: (787) 729-2381 After Hours: (787) 510-7923

Coast Guard offloads more than $ 1.2 million dollars worth of marijuana seized in Caribbean waters

7 Venezuelan smugglers facing federal prosecution in the U.S. Virgin Islands

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico —The Coast Guard offloaded approximately 573 pounds of marijuana Thursday in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The offload comes following a recent at sea interdiction in international waters off the French Caribbean island of Martinique. The seized marijuana is estimated to have a wholesale value of approximately $1.2 million dollars.

Seven suspected smugglers, all Venezuelan nationals, have been turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice for potential prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.

The interdiction was the result of ongoing, multi-agency and international law enforcement efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard.

During the afternoon of May 8, a suspicious go-fast vessel was detected in international waters off Martinique by a maritime patrol aircraft, flying in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South. Coast Guard watch standers at Sector San Juan diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley to interdict the suspect vessel.  The cutter crew interdicted the go-fast, detained the seven men onboard and seized multiple bales of contraband, which tested positive for marijuana.

“Thanks to the interagency cooperation and strong regional partnerships we succeeded in stopping this illegal drug smuggling venture and bringing seven suspected smugglers to justice,” said Cmdr. Christopher Douglas, Sector San Juan chief of response.

The contraband offloaded in the U.S. Virgin Islands was placed in the custody of the DEA special agents in St. Croix for processing and disposition.

The Coast Guard’s efforts under Operation Unified Resolve contribute to the interagency results being achieved locally each and every day under Operation Caribbean Guard, which coordinates efforts between the Coast Guard, DHS and the Commonwealth and Territorial law enforcement partners, who are working diligently to deter, detect and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley is a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

 

 

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