Hampton Roads Border Enforcement Security Task Force makes third drug bust in 3 weeks

NORFOLK, Va. — The Hampton Roads-based multi-agency Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) seized another two kilograms of cocaine, plus two kilograms of heroin, concealed within the ceiling of a vessel arriving at the Port of Norfolk this weekend.

Late Sunday night, special agents and officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Coast Guard's Investigative Service, Chesapeake Region – all members of the Hampton Roads BEST, boarded the vessel, which originated from Asia.

During the search, special agents and officers discovered approximately the two kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of heroin concealed within the ceiling of a common lavatory.

The narcotics were seized by CBP. No arrests have been made and no crew members are suspected of being involved. The investigation, which is being conducted by BEST, is ongoing.

In the two weeks prior, BEST seized approximately 35 kilograms of cocaine at the Port of Norfolk in separate drug smuggling ventures. On July 27, the task force seized 32 kilograms of cocaine off of a vessel arriving into the Port of Norfolk. On Aug. 4, the task force seized three kilograms of cocaine from a container vessel that was due into Hampton Roads.

The Hampton Roads BEST was formed in July 2011 and comprises special agents and officers from ten federal, state and local agencies who are responsible for identifying, interdicting and investigating a wide variety of maritime-related crime including trade fraud, cargo theft, and the illegal smuggling of drugs, persons, currency and weapons.