Field Operations officers from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Sunday seized 11 Kilograms (24 lbs) of cocaine on the M/S Jewel of the Seas. The contraband was found by CBP officers during a cabin inspection upon arrival of the vessel. The estimated value of the seized contraband is over $300,000.
While performing cabin inspections, a CBP canine alerted to a piece of luggage in one of the cabins. Upon opening the suitcase, ten packages were found that subsequently tested positive to the properties of cocaine.
CBP notified US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, who assumed custody of the seized contraband and of the cabin’s occupant for further investigation. A total of seven individuals were detained in relation to this incident.
“San Juan Office of Field Operations has a responsibility to ensure that criminal organizations do not use lawful travel as a means to conceal and move narcotics,” said Keith McFarquhar, acting area port director for Puerto Rico. “Our officers remain vigilant to detect and prevent any attempts to circumvent the security measures that are in place.”
CBP uses sophisticated methods to identify and target potentially high-risk passengers and cargo, including advanced electronic information about every passenger and cargo shipment entering into the US before their arrival, canine inspections and non-intrusive devices.
