According to a recent report by NBC Miami, on September 23 local time, U.S. Border Patrol divers seized more than 3.5 kilograms (approximately 8 pounds) of narcotic cocaine from the hull of a container ship arriving from the Dominican Republic, busting a major drug smuggling case.
This discovery occurred during an underwater inspection at the Port of Miami. A specialized dive team carefully identified suspicious packages from the submerged part of the hull. Officials noted that the drugs were hidden “deep in the belly of the ship,” specifically referring to an area known as the “sea chest.”
Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) divers successfully removed the packages concealed on the hull using advanced cutting tools and knives. This operation was conducted in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations and the Air and Marine Operations.
Upon inspection, the seized cocaine weighed over 3.5 kilograms (approximately 8 pounds) and was recovered from near the stern of a container ship named “Höegh Trapper.” This container ship is registered in Antigua and Barbuda and primarily operates on Caribbean trade routes.
Following this incident, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data showed that the container ship “Höegh Trapper” continued its journey from the Dominican Republic towards Colombia on September 26.
Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks described this operation as their “first seizure of drugs hidden on a ship’s hull,” highlighting it as a significant achievement in their ongoing fight against maritime drug smuggling. He called this discovery an “innovative breakthrough” in their strategy for intercepting illegal drugs at sea.
Images shared on social media showed divers working at the stern of the “Höegh Trapper,” extracting the packages containing cocaine—marking an unprecedented operation for the dive team.
No information has been disclosed regarding whether the ship underwent a routine inspection or was inspected based on intelligence. Furthermore, while the investigation into this latest seizure continues, details concerning potential suspects or follow-up actions have not been released.
This method of smuggling drugs by hiding them on ships is not entirely uncommon. Authorities recalled a 1990 incident where police divers discovered four steel boxes containing 250 pounds of marijuana on a cargo ship docked at the Port of Miami, leading to the arrest of three individuals at the time.
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