I.C.E. News Release

June 15, 2010

ICE teams with CBP to arrest Puerto Rican man carrying 207 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of approximately $6 million

Third multi-kilogram cocaine seizure in less than one month

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico-U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) agents, working jointly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, arrested a Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, resident and seized 207 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $6 million on Friday, June 11.

CBP officers discovered the contraband while conducting routing inspections of arriving vessels in Puerto del Rey Marina in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The cocaine was discovered concealed inside the binge of a private vessel arriving from Tortola, BVI.

James Fonseca, of Guaynabo, was arrested in connection with the seizure. He, along with the vessel and contraband, were turned over ICE agents for further investigation.

"ICE agents work closely with CBP officers to detect and arrest those who try to smuggle contraband into our country," said Roberto Escobar Vargas, ICE acting special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. "Together, we are committed to identifying and arresting those who attempt to violate our laws and contaminate our streets and communities with illegal drugs."

This is the third seizure of multi-kilograms of cocaine in Puerto Rico in less than a month.

In a separate seizure on June 11, ICE agents and the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutter Cushing arrested three alleged smugglers and seized 242 kilograms of cocaine in Mayaguez with an approximate street value of $7.5 million. Earlier that week, on June 7, ICE agents, working jointly with Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF) officers arrested five Honduran smugglers and seized 1,483 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $46 million.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE comprises four integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1006/100615sanjuan.htm