AMO, FURA nab 62 bales of cocaine and arrest 3 alien smugglers near Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico — Air and Marine Operations (AMO), an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with the Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces for Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish acronym) nabbed today a yola-type vessel in which 3 aliens, from Colombia and Panama, were found smuggling 62 bales of cocaine into Cabo Rojo.

During the morning hours of Aug. 6, a Caribbean Air and Marine Operations asset detected a suspect vessel navigating north, in direction to the municipalities of Lajas and Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.  The Michel Maceda Marine unit deployed the crew of a Coastal Interceptor Vessel crew as well as a FURA Marine unit.

AMO and FURA intercepted an Eduardoño yola-type vessel, 2 nautical miles from the coast near “la Pitahaya” sector of Cabo Rojo.  Marine Interdiction Agents arrested 2 Colombian and 1 Panamanian nationals, without proper documentation to enter or remain in the United States legally and seized a total of 60 extra-large bales and 2 large bales of cocaine.

The aliens and the contraband were transferred to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for investigation and prosecution.

Th 60 bales contained 1,789.1 kilograms (3,944.3 pounds) of cocaine. The estimated value of the seized contraband is approximately $30.4 million.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit was renamed honoring the sacrifice of a Marine Interdiction Agent who tragically lost his life in the line of duty during a drug interdiction operation on November 17, 2022.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.