On Oct. 3, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) released a statement noting the USCGC Joseph Tezanos’ crew had offloaded 388 pounds of seized cocaine on Sept. 29.
Crewmembers also transferred two U.S. citizen smugglers to DEA custody in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The cocaine, valued at an estimated $4.3 million wholesale, was seized as part of a multi-agency effort supporting the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force.
The press release stated the interdiction stems from a coordinated effort to combat drug trafficking in U.S. waters. The apprehended smugglers now face federal prosecution for charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance aboard a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction. If convicted, they face a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Helena B. Daniel and Max Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section.
On Sept. 28, a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a suspicious 22' sport craft in international waters heading towards Rincón, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted the Joseph Tezanos to intercept the vessel. Upon stopping the craft, the crew discovered 142 brick-sized packages of contraband that tested positive for cocaine, leading to the arrest of both individuals on board.
Lieutenant Kali B. Carmine, commanding officer of the Cutter, expressed pride in his crew's professionalism, stating, “This successful interdiction and seizure underscore the collaboration and commitment of our federal, local, and regional partners in countering the flow of narcotics within the Caribbean, specifically the Mona Passage."
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow also commended the Coast Guard’s efforts, emphasizing their crucial role in safeguarding Puerto Rico and the nation from drug trafficking threats.
Denise Foster, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Caribbean Division, highlighted the power of inter-agency collaboration, noting, “This operation underscores the incredible power of collaboration between agencies like the DEA, Coast Guard, and our federal and local partners. It is through this unified effort that we can effectively combat transnational criminal organizations and disrupt their illegal activities. The teamwork demonstrated in this case is a shining example of how, when we come together with a shared mission, we strengthen our ability to protect the citizens of Puerto Rico the U.S. mainland and abroad from the scourge of drug trafficking. These partnerships are not just critical—they are the cornerstone of our success in keeping our communities safe.”
This operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which fosters permanent multi-agency task force teams for more effective intelligence-driven operations. The Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF) consists of personnel from various agencies, including the DEA, FBI, and U.S. Coast Guard, focusing on identifying and dismantling significant drug trafficking networks.
The USCG Cutter Joseph Tezanos, a 154' fast response cutter, is homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
