According to police, two illegal immigrants attempting to smuggle millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine who sneaked in using a speed boat were caught.
The two men on board were arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO). After intercepting the vessel near the southern coast of Puerto Rico, 1,320 pounds (600 kilos) of cocaine was seized on Wednesday.
A CBP DHC-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft crew detected a marine vessel moving north without navigational lights, with two people on board.
A CBP Interceptor from the Ponce Marine Unit approached the vessel, 4 nautical miles south of Salinas, Puerto Rico, ordering the suspects on board to stop.
The agents found 600 kilos or 1,320 pounds of what appeared to be cocaine hidden in 20 bales. The two suspects were arrested due to positive result for cocaine in the substance test.
The estimated value of the cocaine is $17 million.
“Air and Marine Agents always remain vigilant to find and arrest criminals trying to smuggle narcotics through our coastal areas,” stated Johnny Morales, Director of Air Operations at the CBP Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents took custody of the two men and the contraband for prosecution and investigation.
Under federal law, a person with no prior federal or state convictions of possession of any narcotic who is convicted of a first offense of cocaine possession may be sentenced to not more than one year in prison, fined not less than $1,000, or both. A person convicted of cocaine possession after a prior conviction of possession of cocaine or any other narcotic in either federal or state court may be sentenced to not less than 15 days and not more than two years in prison, fined not less than $2,500, or both. Two or more prior convictions of possession of any narcotic in federal or state court may lead to a sentence of not less than 90 days in prison, a fine of not less than $5,000, or both.
The term of imprisonment and the amount of the fine may be affected by the quantity of the drug seized. A charge of possession with intent to distribute (sell) cocaine greatly increases the penalties.
Cocaine possession may also be punished by the states. For more information on possession of illegal drugs, including state-specific articles, begin with Drug Laws and Drug Charges.
As noted above, the penalties for crack cocaine possession may be greater than for powder cocaine.
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