Border Patrol, Puerto Rico Police Seize More Than 560 Pounds of Cocaine Near Aguadilla

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Ramey Sector, working in coordination with the Puerto Rico Police Department’s Fuerzas Unidas de Rápida Acción, seized approximately 562 pounds of suspected cocaine and arrested two U.S. citizens during a maritime enforcement action near Aguadilla early Monday.

On Oct. 5, law enforcement personnel identified and intercepted a suspicious vessel operating in waters west of Aguadilla. During the subsequent investigation, authorities discovered 231 packages containing a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

The vessel, suspected narcotics, and two individuals were transferred to the Ramey Border Patrol Station for further investigation and processing. The Drug Enforcement Administration is in charge of the investigation and prosecution.

“This seizure demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and the vigilance of the men and women protecting Puerto Rico’s coastal borders,” said Ramey Sector Chief Patrol Agent Reggie Johnson. “Working alongside the Puerto Rico Police Department and FURA, our agents prevented a significant quantity of dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities. We remain committed to disrupting transnational criminal organizations and safeguarding the public.

The investigation is ongoing.

Ramey Sector is one of the twenty Sectors spread out across the United States. Encompassing the U.S. territorial islands of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it is the only Border Patrol Sector located outside the continental United States. The Sector’s entire border area is made up of coastline and its area of responsibility is made up of some 6,000 square miles of land and water area, including the twelve-mile band of territorial water surrounding the Islands.

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 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

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