$20 Million in Cocaine Seized, 4 Arrested in waters off of St. Croix

More than 1,400 pounds of cocaine is seized, after law enforcement intercepted a vessel near St. Croix.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents, along with Homeland Security Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, stopped a twin-engine boat with four citizens of the British Virgin Islands on board.

According to police, they were transporting 1,470 pounds, or 667 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of nearly $20 Million, “Transnational criminal organizations take aim at diverse routes to move their illicit contraband,” indicated Augusto Reyes, Director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. “Our agents will continue to use our advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities to detect and interdict them throughout our coastal borders.”

A law enforcement aircraft spotted the boat, with the suspected contraband noticeable on the boat’s deck. They stopped the boat 20 nautical miles east of St. Croix.

The four men were arrested and are facing several drug charges.