The United States Coast Guard Service intercepted this Wednesday around 200 miles from Punta Burica in the South Pacific of Costa Rica, a vessel carrying a load of 1,256 kilograms of cocaine.

The boat is Costa Rican and the five crew members, all natives of the area were arrested and taken into custody to Golfito.

According to Gustavo Mata, Minister of Security, this is the largest load of cocaine seized so far this year.

Last year, the Ministry of Public Security confirmed they closed the year off with over 30 tons of cocaine seized with a value of approximately U.S. $1 billion.

The vessel detained today was known in the area and had been stopped by Costa Rican Coast Guard Service in the past for routine checks and nothing had been found.