MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Three alleged smugglers are facing charges after the U.S. Coast Guard seized a shipment of about 1,100 pounds of cocaine off the coast of Puerto Rico.
The Coast Guard cutter Tahoma seized the contraband, estimated to have a wholesale value of about $16 million, on March 18.
The three suspects from the Dominican Republic were transferred into the custody of Drug Enforcement Administration special agents in Puerto Rico on Tuesday.
"I am very proud of Tahoma's crew and our embarked helicopter detachment for helping to secure our maritime border south of Puerto Rico," said Cmdr. Willie L. Carmichael, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma commanding officer. "It was truly a multi-agency effort to interdict the vessel and prevent over 1,100 pounds of contraband from entering the United States."
Since January 2014, the Coast Guard has seized 15,671 kilograms of cocaine and 5,320 pounds of marijuana in 16 different operations.
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