Coast Guard apprehends 4 men indicted for smuggling wildlife, following interdiction near Puerto Rico

Four suspected smugglers interdicted by the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection surface and air units were indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico, May 9, 2024, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel north of Isabela, Puerto Rico. The suspects are facing criminal charges for smuggling wildlife from the United States and Lacey Act trafficking. “This successful apprehension of four smugglers highlights the unwavering resolve of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, we work daily to interdict a wide range of illicit activities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Captain José Díaz, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan. “Unfortunately, the cruelty displayed by the smugglers in this case resulted in the loss of over 100 exotic birds. We will not stop in our commitment to control illicit trafficking in our region.”