US Coast Guard, partners interdict drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean jamaicaobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jamaicaobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The US Coast Guards and partner agencies have interdicted seven suspected drug smuggling vessels over 10 days near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the Eastern Caribbean.
In a release today the Coast Guard reported the collaboration with the US Navy, Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations and the Dutch Caribbean coast guard resulted in more than 3,700 pounds of cocaine worth more than $64 million and 19 suspected drug smugglers being apprehended. These individuals may now face criminal charges by prosecution partners in the Department of Justice.
“Seven successful drug smuggling ventures disrupted in 10 days is a clear example of the mission-ready team we have here in the Seventh District s area of responsibility,” said Rear Admiral Eric C. Jones, Seventh Coast Guard District commander.
The Legare also participated in international naval and amphibious exercises off the coast of Manta, Ecuador.
Credit: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Charly Tautfest
The Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912) crew transferred 19 suspected smugglers to federal agents at Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Dec. 7, 2020. The Legare crew patrolled the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere to disrupt the flow of drugs in support of Presidential National Security Objectives. Author: 13News Now Staff Updated: 10:15 AM EST December 12, 2020
PORTSMOUTH, Va. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Legare is back home after the ship returned to its homeport in Portsmouth on Friday.
The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) with embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 407 seized an estimated 2,810 kilograms of suspected cocaine, Dec. 5.
While on routine patrol, Gabrielle Giffords was diverted to intercept a low-profile vessel (LPV). Gabrielle Giffords deployed one of her helicopters, assigned to the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, to provide over watch and ensure compliance while the embarked LEDET and small boats were deployed to achieve positive control and begin boarding of the LPV.
Gabrielle Giffords and the embarked LEDET searched the vessel and recovered approximately 134 bales, for an estimated 2,810 kilograms of suspected cocaine worth over an estimated wholesale value of $106 million. Three suspected drug traffickers were also detained.