U.S. Forces Seize Nearly 2,500 Pounds of Cocaine in Two Operations

U.S. forces and partner nations conducted two maritime interdictions that resulted in the seizure of nearly 2,500 pounds of cocaine and 105 pounds of marijuana. In the first action, officials identified a vessel transporting narcotics from Colombia.

Partner nation forces stopped the vessel while U.S. personnel secured cargo that had been thrown overboard. The second operation took place near Colon, Panama. Partner forces intercepted a vessel on May 1 after receiving guidance from U.S. officials.

They fired warning shots, detained two individuals, and seized approximately 1,761 pounds of cocaine.

Additional Interdiction Reported U.S.

Coast Guard personnel, working with the Navy, stopped another vessel off the coast of Haiti. They took custody of roughly 3,200 pounds of marijuana valued at about 3.8 million dollars and transferred one person to Haitian authorities. Officials stated that most U.S.-bound drug interdictions occur at sea and require coordination among multiple agencies and countries.

13 the Drug Enforcement Administration reported prison sentences for four individuals convicted in an international drug trafficking and money laundering operation. The sentences ranged from five years and five months to 15 years. A U.S. attorney said the defendants had chosen to poison communities and support criminal organizations abroad.

In a separate March case, a Mexican national living in Houston received a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.