Three Dominican men have been arrested after the US Coast Guards intercepted their vessel north of Puerto Rico which contained 901 pounds of cocaine.

The men are now facing federal charges in the District Court of Puerto Rico for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

The Transnational Organized Crime Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico is leading the prosecution for this case, while Special Agents supporting the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force are leading the investigation.

According to the US Coast Guard, during Saturday night patrol, the US Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspect go-fast vessel north of Puerto Rico.

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan diverted the cutter Joseph Napier arrived on the scene in pursuit and stopped the 30-foot blue and white go-fast vessel, apprehended three men and recovered 12 bales of suspected contraband that tested positive for cocaine.

Lieutenant DeVonte Weems, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier’s commanding officer said, “I’m extremely proud of our crew, especially the pursuit team, for their tactical proficiency and resiliency in stopping this drug-smuggling vessel from entering Puerto Rico.”

He added that it was a great team effort with seamless coordination between the Coast Guard units that resulted in a successful interdiction.