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  4. CBP in San Juan Seizes $1.8 million worth of Cocaine inside Flower Boxes from Colombia

CBP in San Juan Seizes $1.8 million worth of Cocaine inside Flower Boxes from Colombia

Release Date
Mon, 03/09/2020

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 161 pounds (73 kilos) of cocaine Saturday inside several parcel boxes arriving to the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport on a cargo aircraft that departed from Bogota, Colombia.   The estimated value of the seized cocaine is $1.8 million.   

“Transnational Criminal Organizations select diverse routes within the supply chain to introduce narcotics”, stated Roberto Vaquero, Assistant Director of Field Operations for Border Security in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  “Businesses and companies within the supply chain must reinforce their security systems to avoid such inconveniences.” 

On Mar. 7, a CBP Contraband Enforcement Team inspected various parcels at the cargo inspection station for the San Juan Airport.  A CBP K9 alerted to several boxes manifested as flowers.   

Inside of the boxes, CBP Officers discovered 73 kilograms that tested positive for cocaine. 

The CBP Contraband Enforcement Team seized the cocaine and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents took custody of the packages for investigation.  

CBP’s mission is to safeguard America’s borders thereby protecting the public from dangerous people and materials while enhancing the Nation’s global economic competitiveness by enabling legitimate trade and travel.  

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021