Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
FAJARDO, Puerto Rico— Marine Interdiction Agents (MIA) from Jacksonville and Fort Pierce marine units, assigned to the Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch (JAMB), seized over $1.7 million on the night of April 5.
The JAMB MIAs were operating in Fajardo as part of a larger operation consisting of CBP’s Air and Marine Operations and other law enforcement partners.
MIAs were operating a surveillance post in conjunction with a maritime patrol and landside enforcement teams, when they spotted a single-engine yola type vessel a few miles east of Fajardo, heading towards land.
When MIAs responded to the area, the yola was found beached at the shoreline and a white Suzuki Vitarra was seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. Agents conducted a search of the immediate area and discovered two duffel bags in the water near the vessel containing U.S. currency in vacuum-sealed bags, approximating $1.72 million.
CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities. AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, and responds to contingencies and national taskings. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO serves as the nation’s experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement.
In Fiscal Year 2018, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 283,503 pounds of cocaine, 301,553 pounds of marijuana, 108,444 pounds of methamphetamine, 872 weapons, and $34.2 million; 2,373 arrests; and 47,744 apprehensions of illegal aliens.
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