One Ton of Cocaine Seized from Sub near Puerto Rico
27 Apr 2021
CBP Air and Marine Operations agents assisted in the interdiction and seizure of more than one ton of cocaine from a semi-submersible vessel near Puerto Rico. The seizure led to the arrest and indictment of three people for a variety of drug trafficking and maritime law violations.
AMO agents assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in interdicting a semi-submersible vessel sailing toward Puerto Rico on April 8, according to information obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. A search of the vessel led to the discovery of more than 5,500 pounds of cocaine.
An Everson man has been sentenced to serve three years in federal prison for multiple drug offenses in a two-year span.
Earlier this week, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced that Andrew Welty, 29, was sentenced in federal court to serve 36 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release for violating federal narcotics law.
From September 2017 to November 2019, Welty conspired with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and heroin as well as possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl.
The prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
US Coast Guard in Major Maritime Drug Busts - The St Kitts Nevis Observer thestkittsnevisobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thestkittsnevisobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By John Conrad
Apr 20, 2021
Miami, Fl. (Florida News Network) Coast Guard Cutter Tampa s crew offloaded approximately 5,500 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $94.6 million, in Miami, Tuesday, after interdicting a low profile vessel off the coast of Punta Gallinas, Colombia.
A maritime patrol flight spotted the vessel on April 9, and a law enforcement team from the cutter detained three suspects and discovered 87 bales of cocaine.
The vessel was destroyed as a hazard to navigation. The suspects are reported to be in good health. This event is the perfect example of numerous key partners unifying our efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations who look to exploit the maritime environment, said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Neiman, Seventh District public affairs officer. By strengthening partnerships, we counter threats together.
By HOWARD COHEN | The Miami Herald | Published: April 21, 2021 (Tribune News Service) The Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon crew has offloaded nearly $20 million in seized cocaine at Coast Guard Base San Juan after it captured a crew of suspected drug smugglers about 45 nautical miles north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on Saturday. Also on Tuesday, more than 5,500 pounds of cocaine valued at about $94.6 million made it to Miami after Coast Guard crews found the marching powder aboard a boat near Colombia. As for the nearly 18 bales of coke found off the Puerto Rican coast about 1,052 pounds a Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch maritime patrol aircraft crew got suspicious when its crew spotted a vessel, Saturday, with three people aboard they suspected of drug trafficking. The Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark and a Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter Jayhawk aircrew intercepted the boat and its crew of two men and one woman.