US authorities seize $5m in cocaine and arrest smuggler in San Juan harbour

Customs and Border Protection and Sector Boarding Team officers conducted a thorough boarding of the Signet Thunder and the San Juan-JaxBridge but found no other stowaways. Law enforcement partners transferred the suspect and the seized cocaine to the Homeland Security Task Force-San Juan region at the coast guard base.

Commander Matthew Romano, the Sector San Juan Chief of Response, noted that the operation involved collaboration between the coast guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the Puerto Rico Police.

The commander also highlighted the role of the Signet Thunder crew in assisting the authorities during the January 28 incident. Romano emphasised that the coast guard will, “continue to combat illicit trafficking throughout the waters of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”

The apprehended suspect is currently facing federal prosecution on drug trafficking charges following the seizure in the harbour.