U.S. Navy courtesy photo.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) and a HITRON aircrew delivered a decisive blow to maritime criminal networks by intercepting a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel during a routine patrol on February 24 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
A U.S. Navy P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft detected the vessel and reported the location to Cutter Forward watchstanders. Forward’s crew rapidly deployed its over-the-horizon Cutter pursuit boat and an embarked MH-65E Dolphin aircraft from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) to intercept the suspicious vessel.
Despite repeated verbal commands issued by the boarding team, the SPSS failed to comply or stop their vessel. The boarding team successfully gained access to the vessel, secured positive control, and apprehended four suspected narco-terrorists. All personnel were safely evacuated to the USCGC as the SPSS experienced flooding and subsequently sank.
SPSS vessels are commonly used by maritime criminal networks to transport large quantities of drugs in the Eastern Pacific. The Coast Guard routinely interdicts these vessels as part of ongoing counter-drug operations in the region.
U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo.
“SPSS vessels are purpose-built to move large quantities of illicit, dangerous cargo,” said Cmdr. Andrew Grantham, commanding officer of the Forward. “This interdiction of an SPSS of over 70 feet, prevented a potential 17,600 lbs of cocaine—more than 6 million lethal doses—from reaching U.S. shores. Stopping this vessel demonstrates the exceptional skill and dedication of the Forward crew, the HITRON, Joint Interagency Task Force South, and Coast Guard Southwest District at imposing significant costs on transnational crime organizations.”
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville.
U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
Joint Interagency Task Force South.
U.S. Navy.
The Coast Guard is committed to deterring criminal activity and enhancing maritime security through disrupting illicit smuggling activity at sea before it can reach U.S. shores.
Coast Guard Cutter Forward is a 270-foot Famous-class medium-endurance cutter that conducts counter-drug, migrant interdictions and search and rescue (SAR) missions throughout the Western Hemisphere.
–USCG–
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HITRON, which deploys armed helicopters aboard Coast Guard Cutters to detect, deter and interdict illicit maritime drug trafficking, recently achieved its 1,000th interdiction, underscoring its mission proficiency and the sustained operational demand for airborne use-of-force capabilities.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Schultz, Petty Officer 2nd Class Erik Villa Rodriguez.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.
