A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Black Hawk helicopter helped bring a suspected drug-smuggling operation to a crashing halt off the coast of Puerto Rico this month, leading to the seizure of nearly 400 pounds of cocaine and the arrest of three foreign nationals.
According to CBP, Air and Marine Operations personnel detected a suspicious 25-foot blue vessel on May 13 carrying three people and several visible packages.
After monitoring the boat’s movements, authorities launched an interdiction operation involving two law-enforcement vessels from the San Juan Marine Unit and a Black Hawk helicopter providing aerial support.
The pursuit ended after the helicopter crew used disabling fire to stop the vessel, allowing agents to move in and take the suspects into custody.
Authorities arrested three citizens of the Dominican Republic and recovered five bales containing approximately 391 pounds of cocaine.
Federal officials praised the operation as another example of increasingly aggressive efforts to disrupt narcotics trafficking routes in the Caribbean.
“Our Air and Marine Operations teams demonstrated exceptional skill and coordination in this interdiction,” Caribbean Air and Marine Branch Director Christopher Hunter said.
“The decisive use of air disabling fire by our Black Hawk crew was instrumental in stopping the vessel and preventing dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities.”
Hunter said the operation showcased the growing cooperation between federal agencies and law enforcement partners working to target international smuggling organizations.
“This operation highlights our commitment to working with partners across all levels to disrupt smuggling networks and protect the security of the United States and its territories,” he said.
Watch the clip below:
🚨AMO Black Hawk disabling fire ends vessel pursuit🚨
On May 13, AMO aircrews detected a suspicious 25-foot Yola-type vessel northwest of Puerto Rico, carrying three individuals and visible packages. Our teams maintained continuous aerial surveillance, tracking the vessel… pic.twitter.com/cRtSwdGlZF
— CBP AMO (@CBPAMO) May 29, 2026
