Cocaine Found In Container From Dominican Republic

News Americas, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Weds. Feb. 25, 2015: Two hundred and twenty two pounds of cocaine has been found inside a duffle bag concealed inside a container arriving from Caucedo, Dominican Republic.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field operations officers seized the drug worth $2.8 million.

CBP field operations officers conducting an inspection of containers on board the vessel M/V Columba Voyage, found 3 carry-on bags containing 90 brick shaped objects inside one of the containers.  A field-test of one bricks resulted positive for cocaine.

“International criminal organizations seek to use the supply chain as a means to conceal and move illicit narcotics,” said Marcelino Borges, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. “CBP can work with the trade community to strengthen their security implementing best practices to prevent incidents like this to happen.”

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents assumed custody of the seized contraband for further investigation.

CBP uses sophisticated methods to identify and target potentially high-risk passengers and cargo, including advanced electronic information about every passenger and cargo shipment entering into the U.S. before their arrival, canine inspections and non-intrusive devices.