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  4. CBP Officers at Miami's Seaport Intercept Over 550 Pounds of Cocaine

CBP Officers at Miami's Seaport Intercept Over 550 Pounds of Cocaine

Release Date
Wed, 01/17/2018

MIAMI—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) at Miami’s seaport intercepted over 550 pounds of cocaine aboard a cargo vessel this week. The estimated street value of the confiscated cocaine is $6.25 million.

CBP's Office of Field Operations in Florida uses a multi-layered, risk-based approach.
CBP's Office of Field Operations in
Florida uses a multi-layered,
risk-based approach.

CBP officers examining cargo during an inspection discovered the cocaine in bags hidden behind metal tubing. The bags contained 225 packages containing a white powdery substance that field tested positive for the presence of cocaine.

“This is one of most significant seizures in the last few years and the latest result of CBP’s multi-layered, risk-based approach to enhance the security of our borders,” said Miami Seaport Port Director Jorge Roig. “CBP plays a critical role in efforts to keep dangerous drugs from reaching local communities across South Florida.”

CBP turned the contraband over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.

CBP officers and HSI special agents have seized multiple vessels and thousands of pounds of cocaine over the last three years as part of an aggressive enforcement program designed to disrupt illicit trafficking along the Miami River. CBP Office of Field Operations uses sophisticated methods to identify and target potentially high-risk passengers and cargo, including advanced electronic information about every passenger and cargo shipment entering into the U.S. before their arrival, canine inspections and non-intrusive devices.

America's Frontline across Florida
America's Frontline across Florida

CBP is the lead agency for preventing drug trafficking through airports, seaports and land ports of entry and has a significant role in the national drug control strategy. CBP law enforcement personnel play a critical counter-narcotics role, resulting in the seizure of more than 2.14 million pounds of narcotics and the disruption of more than 81,000 pounds of narcotics across the country in Fiscal Year 2017.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in Florida include travel and trade facilitation and securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border. To follow the latest CBP enforcement efforts in Florida, visit @CBPFlorida on Twitter.
 
Watch this video to learn more about CBP and its tremendously complex and important mission.

Download U.S. Customs and Border Protection stock footage from DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.

Last Modified: May 17, 2021