Coast Guard Cutter Nabs $43 Million in Cocaine, Returns Home
U. S. Coast Guard
November 19, 2004
COAST GUARD ISLAND, ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Honolulu-based Coast Guard Cutter Rush is scheduled to return home Monday, after a 67-day deployment in support of counter-narcotic operations in the Eastern Pacific, during which 4,835 pounds of cocaine was seized.
The Rush participated in Operation New Frontier, the Coast Guard's newest tactical approach to narcotic-trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific as well as the Caribbean. Rush deployed with a HITRON (Helicopter interdiction Tactical Squadron) MH-68 helicopter based in Jacksonville, Fla.
Rush received a report on the morning of Oct. 31 that the fishing vessel Aventurero was refueling a "go-fast" vessel suspected of drug trafficking, approximately 270 nautical miles north of the Galapagos Islands.
Rush launched its MH-68 helicopter to investigate and acquired the go-fast departing the vicinity of the Aventurero at a high rate of speed. The helicopter made multiple attempts to hail the vessel. When the go-fast refused to stop, warning shots were fired across the bow of the go-fast from the helicopter. After multiple warning shots and a single disabling shot into the engine compartment, the crew of the go-fast stopped their vessel.
A boarding team from the Rush boarded the vessel to determine its nationality and ensure compliance with international laws. No one on board the go-fast claimed to be the master, but the individuals claimed the go-fast was from Colombia. The Colombian Government could not confirm nor refute nationality of the go-fast. The vessel was assimilated to be without nationality status, making it subject to U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement authority. Upon completion of the investigation, Rush seized 91 bales of pure cocaine with an estimated weight of 2.4 tons and a street value of $43 million.
Earlier this year, Rush conducted similar operations in the Eastern Pacific and is credited with the interdiction of the fishing vessel Luis Angel. Together with its recent seizure, Rush is credited with interdicting close to 12,500 pounds of cocaine in 2004, adding to a record setting year for the Coast Guard in drug seizures.
Rush is one of two 378-foot High Endurance Cutters based in Honolulu. The primary mission of the Rush is to enforce laws and treaties and conduct search and rescue throughout the Pacific. Rush has a compliment of 20 officers and 168 crewmembers and is commanded by Capt. Dana E. Ware.
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