Feds Make Historical Drug Seizure in Puerto Rico
Jim Kouri, CPP
February 27, 2006
A shipment of cocaine and heroin with a street value of more than $13 million bound for the streets of Puerto Rico was seized here last night by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
ICE agents teamed up with inspectors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and officers of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) to keep the largest heroin shipment in Puerto Rico's history from reaching the community.
An inspection of a cargo ship that arrived at the Port of San Juan last night led to the discovery of 100.2 kilograms of heroin and 308.5 kilograms of cocaine. The M/V Caribbean Carrier docked at the port after arriving from the Dominican Republic.
The contraband was hidden within two commercial engines inside a 20-foot freight container.
Drug traffickers who think the Puerto Rico is an easy way to bring drugs into the United States need to think again,” said Lydia St. John-Mellado, special agent-in-charge of ICE in Puerto Rico. “ICE and our Department of Homeland Security partners are vigilant and will continue using all our resources and authorities to stop illegal contraband from entering the United States through Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.”
No arrests have been made in connection to this seizure; however, the ICE investigation into this case is ongoing.
We encourage the public to report any suspicious activity linked to this case, or any other case by dialing ICE's toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. The lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During fiscal year 2005, ICE agents in Puerto Rico seized 5,737 kilograms of cocaine, 61 kilograms of heroin, and 1,600 kilograms of marijuana with a street value of more than $140 million.
ICE agents teamed up with inspectors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and officers of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) to keep the largest heroin shipment in Puerto Rico's history from reaching the community.
An inspection of a cargo ship that arrived at the Port of San Juan last night led to the discovery of 100.2 kilograms of heroin and 308.5 kilograms of cocaine. The M/V Caribbean Carrier docked at the port after arriving from the Dominican Republic.
The contraband was hidden within two commercial engines inside a 20-foot freight container.
Drug traffickers who think the Puerto Rico is an easy way to bring drugs into the United States need to think again,” said Lydia St. John-Mellado, special agent-in-charge of ICE in Puerto Rico. “ICE and our Department of Homeland Security partners are vigilant and will continue using all our resources and authorities to stop illegal contraband from entering the United States through Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.”
No arrests have been made in connection to this seizure; however, the ICE investigation into this case is ongoing.
We encourage the public to report any suspicious activity linked to this case, or any other case by dialing ICE's toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. The lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During fiscal year 2005, ICE agents in Puerto Rico seized 5,737 kilograms of cocaine, 61 kilograms of heroin, and 1,600 kilograms of marijuana with a street value of more than $140 million.
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