POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWFLA News Channel 8October 24, 2026Hillsborough County

Coast Guard seizes 489 pounds of cocaine and detains three men near Puerto Rico

Photo: WFLA News Channel 8

The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded approximately 489 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $5.5 million from a boat off the coast of Puerto Rico earlier this month. Officials stated that three men on board the vessel—two from the Dominican Republic and one from China—were detained and transferred to Homeland Security custody.

Law EnforcementCoast GuardNarcoticsBorder Security
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8

Why It Matters

Law enforcement actions intercept illicit narcotics valued at $5.5 million before reaching shore and transfer three suspects into federal custody in San Juan.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. Coast Guard seized roughly 489 pounds of cocaine from a boat off the coast of Puerto Rico.
  • The seized narcotics carry an estimated value of $5.5 million.
  • Three men on board the vessel were detained, consisting of two Dominican Republic nationals and one Chinese national.
  • A USCG Miami aircraft on routine patrol initially spotted the small 'go-fast' vessel.
  • The Cutter Winslow Griesser was diverted to intercept the boat.
  • The detained suspects were transferred into the custody of Homeland Security in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Who's Mentioned

locationSan Juan“Location where suspects were transferred to Homeland Security”OrganizationUSCG Miami“Aircraft spotted the vessel”locationTampa“Location of news station WFLA”PersonMatthew Romano“Cmdr., Sector San Juan chief response”OrganizationHomeland Security“Took custody of the three detained men in San Juan”OrganizationU.S. Coast Guard“Conducted the interdiction and seizure”locationPuerto Rico“Location where the Coast Guard intercepted the boat”OrganizationCutter Winslow Griesser“Coast Guard cutter that intercepted the boat”