Crime

CBP, FBI Seize 292 lbs. Of Cocaine Inside Vessel Leaving U.S. Virgin Islands Towards Puerto Rico

ST. THOMAS -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents along with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized 292 pounds (132 kilos) of cocaine concealed inside two hidden compartments in a vessel intercepted leaving from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, towards Puerto Rico.  On Feb.1, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against four defendants charged with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Import a Controlled Substance, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “AMO crews remain vigilant of any attempts to smuggle narcotics through various maritime routes and work with our partners to deter them,” said Johnny Morales, Director of Air Operations. On Jan. 27, a CBP St. Thomas Marine Unit intercepted a vessel after it had left Crown Bay Marina in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).  The vessel navig...