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  4. CBP Seizes 135 Pounds of Cocaine Concealed inside a Refrigerated Container arriving from the Dominican Republic

CBP Seizes 135 Pounds of Cocaine Concealed inside a Refrigerated Container arriving from the Dominican Republic

Release Date
Wed, 09/09/2020

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized Tuesday 135 pounds (61.25 kilos) of cocaine concealed inside a refrigerated container that arrived from the Dominican Republic.  The estimated value of the seized narcotics is $1.5 million. A brick of suspected cocaine as it was found by CBP officers.

“Transnational criminal organizations continue to test our inspection capabilities by being very creative in the concealment methods”, stated Gregory Alvarez, Director of Field Operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  “Our officers’ expertise, along with technology, facilitates the detection and seizure of these dangerous substances.”

During inspection of containers arriving from Caucedo, Dominican Republic on board the M/V AS Patria, the CBP Contraband Enforcement Team made a more intrusive inspection of a refrigerated container. 

Inside the container, officers found 52 brick shaped objects with white powdery substance that field-tested positive to the properties of cocaine.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took custody of the seized narcotics for further 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