JFK files: CIA contaminated sugar destined for USSR

In 1962, the CIA contaminated a shipment of Cuban sugar bound for the Soviet Union as part of a covert operation aimed at disrupting the Cuban economy. The action took place in Puerto Rico when the freighter Streatham Hill, a British vessel leased to the Soviets, docked for repairs after damaging its propeller on a reef.

The ship carried over 110,000 bags of sugar. To allow drydock access, 14,135 sacks were offloaded into a customs shed in San Juan.