United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PONCE, Puerto Rico — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division, in coordination with Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) partners, announced the seizure of approximately 1,418 pounds (643.3 kilograms) of cocaine and the arrest of three Venezuelan nationals following a maritime interdiction operation conducted southeast of Puerto Rico.

This interdiction is part of ongoing Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operations, an Executive Order-driven, whole-of-government initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations, foreign gangs, and drug trafficking networks threatening the United States and its territories.

“This operation highlights the precision, coordination, and relentless commitment of our HSTF partners working to dismantle transnational criminal organizations before they reach our communities,” said DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Mayer, “Through the strength of unified enforcement, we are denying traffickers access to Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland while holding those responsible fully accountable.”

According to investigative findings, at approximately 10:52 p.m. on April 28, an Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft identified a vessel of interest approximately 35 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Rico. The vessel a 30-foot "yola"-type boat equipped with two outboard engines was observed carrying multiple fuel containers and suspected contraband.

AMO assets, including a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and Coastal Interceptor Vessels launched from Ponce and Fajardo, maintained surveillance and responded to interdict the vessel.

At approximately 12:58 a.m. on April 29, law enforcement units successfully intercepted the vessel after issuing warning rounds, prompting the operator to stop. Three adult male Venezuelan nationals were taken into custody without further incident.

A subsequent search of the vessel revealed multiple kilogram-sized bricks of cocaine concealed within modified fuel containers. The vessel and contraband were transported to the Ponce Marine Unit for processing.

The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) is leading the investigation, with support from the DEA Caribbean Division and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.