C.B.P. News Release

CBP Aircraft Detects Drug Trafficking Vessel; Leads to Seizure of $66 Million Worth of Cocaine

(Friday, November 27, 2009)

Washington — A U.S. Customs and Border Protection surveillance plane recently detected a suspicious vessel in the Western Caribbean Sea, leading to the detention of five people and the seizure of 4,409 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $66 million.

A CBP P-3 Surveillance aircraft flying in support of a multi-agency task force detected a suspicious go-fast vessel 15 nautical miles off the northern coast of Nicaragua. A Nicaraguan law enforcement marine patrol responded from Puerto Cabezas, intercepted the vessel and discovered several bales of cocaine. They also detained five Honduran nationals.

CBP Air and Marine operates the world’s largest law enforcement air force and supports CBP and federal operations throughout the eastern Pacific, Caribbean and shorelines of the United States.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Juan Munoz-Torres
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (202) 344-3114 or
(202) 359-2641
Fax: (202) 344-1393

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_6.xml