SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 8 pounds (3.5 kilos) of cocaine last week inside several parcel boxes arriving to the air cargo inspection of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. The estimated value of the seized cocaine is $87,575. 
“Transnational Criminal Organizations do not temporarily cease operations during a pandemic, on the contrary, they try to exploit it”, stated Roberto Vaquero, Assistant Director of Field Operations for Border Security in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Our frontline officers remain safeguarding our nation around the clock even through these difficult times.”
Between Mar. 17 and 19, the CBP Contraband Enforcement Team inspected various parcels at the cargo inspection station at the San Juan Airport, finding cocaine concealed inside packages manifested as baseball caps, paint brushes and cake.
The CBP Contraband Enforcement Team seized the cocaine and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents took custody of the packages for investigation.
CBP remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting our national and economic security by preventing illegal border crossings and intercepting illegal drugs, illicit currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture items, and counterfeit materials – including counterfeit COVID-19 test kits.