Two Bahamian nationals have been charged with attempting to smuggle approximately 188 kilograms of cocaine into the United States, according to a criminal complaint filed by authorities.
The incident occurred on January 5, when Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Marine Interdiction agents from the Fort Lauderdale and Miami Marine Units were alerted to a suspicious vessel heading towards the Port Everglades Inlet in the Southern District of Florida. Using updates from the Air and Marine Operations Center (AMOC), agents deployed multiple Coastal Interceptor Vessels (CIV) to intercept the boat.
Approximately four nautical miles from Hillsboro Inlet, agents stopped a Contender Center Console vessel carrying Alfred Lynton Laing and Runo Traveeno Laing, both Bahamian nationals. The vessel was escorted to a nearby harbor for inspection, where agents discovered 188 kilograms of cocaine concealed in individually wrapped bricks hidden within the boat.
The Laings are scheduled to be arraigned on January 21 at 11 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, AMO Executive Director Andres “Andy” Blanco, and DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Miami Field Division announced the charges.
The case was investigated by AMO and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nardia Haye.
