The U.S. Coast Guard announced a major drug‑interdiction operation off the coast of Puerto Rico on Saturday, August 22. Working with Customs and Border Protection air‑marine assets, the cutter Richard Dixon intercepted a vessel traveling roughly 50 miles from the island.
Seizure details
Investigators recovered an estimated 7,250 pounds of cocaine from the boat, a haul worth about $54.5 million. The Coast Guard deemed the vessel a navigation hazard and destroyed it after the seizure.
Arrests and statements
Five individuals on the suspected smuggling boat were taken into custody. Lieutenant Commander Michael D. Torgesen praised the “outstanding team effort” and highlighted the seamless coordination between Coast Guard and CBP air assets that placed the cutter in the right place at the right time. Southeast District Commander Admiral Adam Chamie added that the interdiction demonstrates what ready crews and strong inter‑agency partnerships can achieve in the maritime domain.
Broader context
This operation follows a recent milestone in which more than 75,000 pounds of illicit narcotics, valued at $473 million, were off‑loaded at Port Everglades in Miami, Florida. The continued success of these interdictions underscores the importance of protecting the nation’s maritime borders in the Caribbean.
The Coast Guard has not yet announced specific charges related to the five detainees.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
