US COAST GUARD SEIZE $51M WORTH OF COCAINE NEAR ANEGADA
Written by Fuze Social Team on September 7, 2021
The U.S. Coast Guard seized $51 million of cocaine in an at-sea drug bust near the coast of Anegada, British Virgin Islands about a week ago.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force said it joined in the multi-agency operation to seize about 1,700 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. Coast Guard, which led in the operation, said it responded to sightings of a go-fast vessel northeast of Anegada.
The RVIPF Intelligence Unit was immediately contacted and the Marine Unit was discharged for interceptive actions. When the Coast Guard Cutter closed in on the vessel, the smugglers proceeded to toss their cargo overboard.
Some 57 bales were recovered from the water and subsequently transported to San Juan by the Coast Guard. The suspects escaped with their go-fast boat.
Following internal announcements by the Coast Guard, RVIPF said it was given authorization to release this information.
Commissioner of Police Mark Collins noted that relationships such as these help to disrupt the movement of narcotics and human trafficking in the region. He said they are happy to be a part of both the efforts of both Caribbean Border Interagency Group and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force in detecting and intercepting traffickers, and do intend to continue to work closely with these partners.
