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  4. Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch Recovers $2.97 Million Worth of Cocaine

Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch Recovers $2.97 Million Worth of Cocaine

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JACKSONVILLE, FLA.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine agents, working at the Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch, aided in the recovery of approximately 40 pounds of cocaine, an estimated value of $2.97 million, Wednesday near Crescent Beach in St. Augustine, Fla.

The branch responded to a call from the St. John's County Sheriff's Office to assist in locating suspected narcotics that reportedly washed ashore in the vicinity of Crescent Beach.

In support, the branch launched an Interceptor Class vessel and an AS-350 helicopter. The search of the area resulted in the recovery of 40 pounds of cocaine from three separate locations. The contraband was turned over to the St. John's Sheriff's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for processing.

CBP's Office of Air and Marine is the world's largest aviation and maritime law enforcement organization, and is a critical component of the agency's layered enforcement strategy for border security. With 1,200 federal agents, 268 aircraft and 289 marine vessels operating from 84 locations throughout the United States, OAM uses its sophisticated fleets to detect, sort, intercept, track and apprehend criminals in diverse environments at and beyond U.S. borders.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Tags: 
Air and Marine Operations
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Border Security
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  • Last Modified: February 3, 2021