USCG Cutter Disrupts $16 Million Cocaine Smuggling Attempts

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN -- The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell disrupted two drug smuggling operations resulting in 1,300 pounds of cocaine being destroyed at sea while on patrol off the coast of South America Nov. 3-4, 2011.

The first smuggling attempt was disrupted Nov. 3, when the crew of the Boutwell located a suspicious fishing vessel operating approximately 155 miles off the Galapagos Islands and launched their law enforcement teams to investigate.

As Boutwell's small boats approached the suspect vessel they observed a smaller boat, known regionally as a "panga", alongside the first vessel, with two more pangas in tow.

As the law enforcement teams approached, one of the pangas abruptly broke away from the fishing vessel but was intercepted by a Coast Guard boat crew. The panga quickly jettisoned an estimated load of 600-700 pounds of cocaine immediately upon spotting the approaching Coast Guard boats.

The second smuggling attempt was Nov. 4, when the Boutwell's crew and its small boat crews were again investigating suspicious activity by several fishing vessels.

The Coast Guard crews were able to surprise several vessels in the midst of an at sea rendezvous to either refuel or transfer contraband. The surprised smugglers were forced to jettison their illicit cargo, again estimated to be approximately 600-700 pounds.

Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell is a 378-foot High Endurance Cutter homeported in San Diego, Calif.

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN - The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell intercepts a fishing vessel with three pangas in tow, which resulted in the destruction of 1,300 pounds of cocaine at sea while on patrol off the coast of South America Nov. 3-4, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Jason Ganem.

_____

SOURCE: USCG