Marine Interdiction Agents (MIA) from Jacksonville, Panama City, and Fort Pierce marine units, assigned to the Jacksonville Air and Marine Branch (JAMB), seized over one million dollars and 5 kgs. of cocaine in the U.S. Virgin Islands on the evening of April 4.
The JAMB marine units were operating in St. John as part of a larger operation consisting of the St. Thomas marine unit and other law enforcement partners.
MIAs encountered two suspicious individuals carrying black duffel bags on a trail heading toward the water’s edge. The MIAs immediately identified themselves and made initial contact with the two male subjects. The subjects ignored commands to stop and fled on foot. While running, a firearm was exposed in the waistband of one of the individuals. The MIAs called for backup and ultimately recovered the duffel bags abandoned by the subjects.
The MIAs searched the remote, hostile terrain, but were not able to locate the subjects in the vegetation.
CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities. AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, and responds to contingencies and national taskings. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO serves as the nation’s experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement.
In Fiscal Year 2018, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 283,503 pounds of cocaine, 301,553 pounds of marijuana, 108,444 pounds of methamphetamine, 872 weapons, and $34.2 million; 2,373 arrests; and 47,744 apprehensions of illegal aliens.
For more information about CBP, visit: CBP.gov, Flickr, DVIDS, or follow us on Twitter at @CBP and @CBP Florida.
