CBP seizes 8.5 tonnes of drugs at sea in Eastern Pacific, Caribbean in May

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seized approximately 8.5 tonnes of cocaine in separate drug busts in Eastern Pacific and Caribbean waters throughout the month of May, the agency said in a statement dated June 20.

A total of 19 individuals have also been detained in interdiction efforts conducted with partner agencies and partner nations via Joint Interagency Task Force-South.

In nearly all instances, the suspect “go-fast” vessels were first spotted by CBP’s P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft based out of Jacksonville, Florida, and Corpus Christi, Texas, which then directed agency patrol and interdiction vessel crews to seize and disrupt the cargo of narcotics.

The seized cocaine was believed to have originated from South America.