November 20, 2003  Fajardo, Puerto Rico
340 Kilograms of cocaine seized by I.C.E. agents

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents seized approximately 340 kilograms of cocaine today near Sector Las Paulinas in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

On November 20, 2003, at approximately 9:30 a.m., an Omaha 69A C-12 aircraft assigned to the Air & Marine Operations (AMO) Unit of ICE in Aguadilla, P.R. detected a group of persons walking in Las Paulinas Beach believed to be carrying illegal merchandise. Upon detection, the C-12 crew alerted ICE agents in Fajardo, Puerto Rico who were transported to the location by an ICE Air & Marine Operations Branch Blackhawk helicopter. ICE agents were able to confiscate 12 bails of cocaine containing approximately 340 kilograms of the contraband.

"We want to make clear that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents in concert with other law enforcement officers from Federal, State and Local agencies will use all our resources to prevent the importation of illegal merchandise and narcotics to the United States through Puerto Rico. It is our responsibility to detect and confiscate illegal contraband to prevent its reaching the streets of Puerto Rico. We will not tolerate this criminal activity by unscrupulous traffickers whose only concern is to gain millionaire profits by putting the lives of others at risk or by inducing others to criminal activity," said ICE Special Agent-in-Charge Roberto G. Medina.

The cocaine and one male who allegedly was involved in the smuggling the cocaine, are in ICE custody.

During the first month of fiscal year 2004 (October 2004) ICE agents have confiscated 1,554 kilograms of cocaine; 16.06 pounds of heroin and 1,558 kilograms of marijuana in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Source: ICE