This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
On Sunday, US Customs and Border Protection agents, along with the DEA, made a significant seizure in Puerto Rico. The agents tracked a vessel traveling without lights from Puerto Rico to the US Virgin Islands and eventually back to Fajardo, on the east coast of Puerto Rico.
As authorities closed in, the occupants of the vessel fled the scene, leaving behind five duffel bags stuffed with $3.7 million (approximately Ksh.370 million) in cash. A loaded pistol and 63 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the boat.
According to a statement by Johnny Morales, director of air and marine operations for the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, the authorities remain committed to working with other federal and local law enforcement partners to detect and deter smuggling attempts throughout the Caribbean.
CBP seized the currency under failure to declare and bulk cash smuggling laws, as stated in the press release dated July 8, 2019.
