The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward’s crew has offloaded approximately 6,570 pounds of cocaine worth more than $49.3 million at Port Everglades.
The seized contraband was the result of two interdictions in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
On Feb. 7, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel, and Coast Guard Cutter Spencer’s embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics to disable the vessel. Spencer’s boarding team interdicted the vessel and seized approximately 6,435 pounds of cocaine.
On March 8, a maritime patrol aircraft located a suspicious vessel, and Forward’s embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics to disable the vessel. Forward’s crew interdicted the go-fast vessel, recovering approximately 130 pounds of cocaine.
“I’m incredibly proud of the crew for adding to the success of Operation Pacific Viper,” said Cmdr. Andrew Grantham, Forward’s commanding officer. “The Coast Guard and our partners are working tirelessly to stop narco-terrorists and criminal organizations before their dangerous and illegal cargos reach American shores.”
The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:
- Coast Guard Cutter Forward
- Coast Guard Cutter Spencer
- Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron
- Joint Interagency Tasks Force-South
- Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders
- Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders
The original announcement can be found here.
