October 17, 2003  Mobile, Alabama
ICE seize 100 kilos of cocaine within a bulk coal vessel from Colombia

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seized about 100 kilograms of cocaine late Wednesday from a Colombia-based commercial bulk coal vessel. The cocaine has a street value of $2.2 million.

The seizure took place aboard the M/V KONMAX, which arrived in the Port of Mobile on October 7. ICE Mobile Resident Agent-in-Charge initiated a narcotics smuggling investigation after learning that a Colombia-based organization was looking for a contact in the port of Mobile to provide logistics and transportation services in a narcotics smuggling venture.

The cocaine was seized in three bundles totaling more than 220 lbs.

"Seizures of this size take a great deal of coordination with other federal and local law enforcement agencies," said ICE Mobile Resident Agent-in-Charge Mickey Pledger. "This operation started with the ICE office and involved close coordination with Air & Marine Interdiction, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the local Mobile Police Department."

In addition to seizing 100 kilograms of cocaine, ICE agents arrested two suspects and seized two vehicles. One subject, Jose Nieves, 64, is from Puerto Rico; the other is Maria Garcia Flores from Colombia. Both are residents of Texas and were scheduled for an initial court appearance on Thursday in the Southern District of Alabama.