MIAMI—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered more than 178 pounds of cocaine during an enforcement boarding on Nov. 1. The street value of the narcotics is approximately $2,424,000.
CBP officers, attached to the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team, found suspicious brick shaped packages placed on top of an overhead ledge aboard a freighter.
Narcotics seized during an enforcement boarding.
A CBP canine subsequently alerted to the presence of narcotics after removing the bricks from the vessel.
"Our officers are working diligently to protect our borders and using every tool at their disposal to disrupt the flow of narcotics at our ports of entry,” said Diane Sabatino, CBP Miami Seaport Port Director. “This seizure has taken a significant amount of cocaine off the streets and out of our neighborhoods.”
The case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. No arrests were made at this time.
CBP Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.
Community involvement is extremely important to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mission. CBP asks you to report smuggling or any other suspicious activities through 1-800-BE-ALERT (1-800-232-5378) or the after hours toll free number 1-800-562-5943