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Coast Guard Seizes $5M Cocaine, Apprehends Stowaway Smuggler

2/11/2026

49 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On January 28, the U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies apprehended a stowaway smuggler.
They seized 10 bales of cocaine in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico, weighing 789.25 pounds (358 kg) and valued at over $5 million.
The Coast Guard response team recovered the suspect and the drugs from the water, and the suspect faces federal drug trafficking charges.

History

Historical Context

In the 1980s, cocaine trafficking surged by 300%, with Puerto Rico emerging as a crucial transit hub. The U.S. Coast Guard intensified its efforts against drug smuggling, implementing a "no tolerance" policy and collaborating with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The recent arrest of a stowaway in San Juan Harbor highlights ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean, necessitating continued law enforcement cooperation.

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Story summary

On January 28, the U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies apprehended a stowaway smuggler.
They seized 10 bales of cocaine in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico, weighing 789.25 pounds (358 kg) and valued at over $5 million.
The Coast Guard response team recovered the suspect and the drugs from the water, and the suspect faces federal drug trafficking charges.

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