suspect vessel in the Caribbean Sea.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) P-3 Orion Long Range Tracker crew assigned to the National Air Security Operations Center-Jacksonville, was conducting maritime patrols in the West Caribbean Sea, when they located and tracked a cocaine-filled vessel on September 9.
The crew detected a fast moving, suspect vessel traveling along the northern coast of Panama.
The vessel stalled momentarily, and the individuals onboard were seen throwing packages into the sea.
Although the vessel attempted to evade monitoring, the AMO P-3 Orion crew maintained contact of the suspect vessel until support arrived from the Panamanian forces.
A Panamanian Navy helicopter arrived immediately after contact, and disembarked a team to secure the area. Two Panamanian Navy Interceptor vessels and two helicopters secured the target vessel and cargo. The suspects escaped and were not located. The Panamanian Navy seized the packages containing cocaine, weighing a total of 3,527 pounds.
contact, and disembarked a team to secure the area.
The National Air Security Operations Center-Jacksonville forms half of the P-3 operations wing, along with its partner center in Corpus Christi, Texas. These P-3 aircraft operate throughout North and South America in defense of the borders of the United States and to prevent attempts to smuggle persons or contraband. The center is an active partner with FEMA, the U.S. Department of Energy and NORAD in times of national crisis such as Hurricane Harvey or post 9/11.
AMO is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities. AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, and responds to contingencies and national taskings. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO serves as the nation’s experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement.
In Fiscal Year 2018, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 283,503 pounds of cocaine; 301,553 pounds of marijuana; 180,444 pounds of methamphetamine; 872 weapons and $34.2 million. AMO enforcement actions also facilitated 2,373 arrests and 47,744 apprehensions of illegal aliens.
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