The short version
- HSI reported that its National Security Task Force seized 98 kilograms of cocaine on Friday about 23 nautical miles (43 km) from Loíza
- Four people including a pregnant woman were aboard the intercepted vessel according to Primera Hora, N Digital and HolaNews
- Primera Hora states the seized cocaine has an estimated value between $882,000 and $1 million
- HSI described the operation on Instagram as another important result in the fight against maritime drug trafficking
Updates
Update, Nov 1, 8:52 AM AST
Primera Hora adds that the cocaine haul is valued at $882,000 to $1 million.
Primera Hora reported on Saturday that the 98 kilograms of cocaine seized by HSI's National Security Task Force have an estimated street value between $882,000 and $1 million. https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/policia-tribunales/notas/decomisan-98-kilos-de-cocaina-en-aguas-de-puerto-rico/
The new report otherwise matches the earlier accounts on the Friday interception 23 nautical miles northeast of Loíza, the four people aboard including a pregnant woman, the task force's creation under Executive Order 14159, and Puerto Rico's role as a transshipment point with current cocaine prices of $9,000 to $11,000 per kilogram.
Interception at sea
U.S. federal authorities seized 98 kilograms of cocaine during a maritime operation north of Puerto Rico on Friday. The National Security Task Force (HSTF) of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Juan carried out the interception 23 nautical miles (43 kilometers) from the coast of Loíza in northeastern Puerto Rico. N Digital reported that four people, including a pregnant woman, were aboard the vessel.
HSI stated on Instagram that the operation represents "another great triumph in the battle against maritime narcotrafficking." The agency explained that the HSTF was established under Executive Order 14159, known as "Protection of the American People Against Invasion." The task force brings together multiple U.S. government agencies to combat drug cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and illicit migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks. HolaNews reported.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Loíza travel guide
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Otro gran triunfo en la batalla contra el narcotráfico marítimo
Our translation: Another great triumph in the battle against maritime narcotrafficking
The source's own statement, as quoted by N Digital. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Strategic location
Both outlets noted that Puerto Rico remains a critical transshipment point for drugs heading to the United States because of its geographic location in the Caribbean and the maritime routes used by smuggling organizations.
The reports indicate that variations in U.S. military patrolling have affected street prices of cocaine on the island. The kilogram of cocaine is currently priced between $9,000 and $11,000, which both sources say reflects continued high levels of maritime drug trafficking activity.
Where the sources differ
Primera Hora, N Digital and HolaNews agree on all core facts including the 98-kilo seizure, date, location, four people aboard with a pregnant woman, HSI's HSTF, Executive Order 14159, the task force mission, Puerto Rico as a transshipment point, and cocaine street prices of $9,000-$11,000 per kilo. Primera Hora alone adds the total haul value of $882,000 to $1 million. The only other differences are minor wording and attribution style.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not identify the four people on the vessel, say whether they were arrested, or disclose what will happen to them or the seized cocaine. They also do not specify which other agencies participated in the HSTF operation, the exact type of vessel intercepted, or whether this seizure is part of a larger ongoing investigation.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published and last updated. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Decomisan 98 kilos de cocaína en aguas del norte de Puerto Rico
- Reporting Decomisan 98 kilos de cocaína en aguas del norte de Puerto Rico
- Reporting Las autoridades decomisan 98 kilos de cocaína en aguas del norte de Puerto Rico
- Reporting Decomisan 98 kilos de cocaína en aguas de Puerto Rico
How we checked this
Primera Hora, N Digital and HolaNews all drew from the same HSI Instagram statement. The estimated value of the cocaine shipment rests solely on the Primera Hora account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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