September 24, 2007

ICE special agents in Puerto Rico seize 210 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of more than $4 million

AÑASCO, Puerto Rico - A shipment of 210 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of more than $4 million bound for the streets of Puerto Rico was seized here Saturday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents.

ICE special agents teamed up with officers of the Puerto Rico Police Department's United Forces of Rapid Action to keep the illegal drugs from reaching the community.

An inspection of a fishing vessel traveling near Rincon, Puerto Rico led to the discovery of the contraband and the arrest of Jose Luis Valentin-Torres, 27, and Elving Valentin-Acosta, 40, for violations to Title 21, United States Code, Section 952.

"Drug traffickers who think that Puerto Rico is an easy gateway to bring drugs into the United States need to think again," said ICE Assistant Secretary Julie Myers. "ICE and local law enforcement partners are vigilant and will continue utilizing all the collective resources and authorities to stop illegal contraband from entering the United States through Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands."

We encourage the public to report any suspicious activity linked to this case, or any other case by dialing ICE's toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. The lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During fiscal year 2006, ICE special agents in Puerto Rico seized 8,139 pounds of cocaine, 271 pounds of heroin and 758 pounds of marijuana with a street value of more than $250 million.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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