In a joint operation involving the British Royal Navy, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and federal law enforcement agencies, a significant drug bust unfolded on Monday, resulting in the arrest of four Venezuelan nationals off the southwest coast of St. Croix.
The individuals, identified as Daniel Marval-Navarro, Diesel Carreno-Carreno, Felix Jose-Bermudez, and Luis Lugo-Marval, now face federal cocaine trafficking charges. According to reports by the Virgin Islands Consortium news agency, the men were apprehended in the Long Point area after their vessel was intercepted during a dramatic pursuit aided by the British Royal Navy.
Reports indicate that the operation began on Sunday night when CBP agents conducting aerial surveillance spotted the vessel approximately 67 nautical miles south of St. Croix, heading northwards at a speed of about 15 knots. With the vessel attempting to evade capture, CBP sought assistance from a British Royal Navy ship located approximately 12 miles away.
The British Royal Navy swiftly responded by launching two small boats to intercept the suspicious vessel. A high-speed chase ensued, with the target vessel accelerating towards the Long Point beach. During the pursuit, those on board began discarding their cargo, tossing approximately 29 bales of contraband overboard.
Despite the attempts to escape, CBP’s aerial surveillance maintained close tabs on the vessel’s movements. By 3:00 a.m. on Monday, the target vessel had reached Long Point, and CBP observed four individuals jumping off the boat and fleeing towards a field next to a housing complex.
With aerial surveillance still tracking the suspects, the Virgin Islands Police Department, along with special agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, successfully coordinated their efforts. Approximately an hour after making landfall, the four men were apprehended, still in clothing that was dripping wet.
Following the arrest of the individuals, law enforcement officials took custody of the vessel, discovering a significant cache of contraband still aboard. Testing confirmed that the seized narcotics totalled 2169.5 kilograms, marking a major victory against drug trafficking in the region.
Federal officials commended the collaboration between the agencies and highlighted the crucial role played by the Virgin Islands Police Department in executing the complex and dangerous operation successfully.