ST. PETERSBURG, CMC – The United States Coast Guard says it seized 3, 736 pounds of illicit drugs and apprehended four suspected smugglers following a 60-day patrol by its Cutte, Resolute, that returned to its homeport here over the last weekend.
The US Coast Guard said the crew was deployed in support of the US Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast’s Operation Vigilant Sentry and Joint Interagency Task Force-South’s counterdrug mission.
While deployed within the Coast Guard’s Seventh District area of operations, and off the southwest coast of Haiti, the US Coast Guard said the Resolute crew, together with the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, interdicted one go-fast vessel, apprehended the suspected smugglers and seized marijuana worth more than US$3.5 million.
In addition to the drug interdiction and deterring illegal maritime migration, it said the Resolute participated in a search and rescue mission for two missing mariners after their 90-foot Vanuatu-flagged schooner, De Gallant, sank approximately 20 miles north of Great Inagua in the Bahamas on May 21, 2024.
“The officers and crew of Resolute completed this deployment in extraordinary fashion. They answered the call and responded to each case with dignity, compassion and professionalism.
“The Coast Guard’s overt presence in this region is essential to deter dangerous and life-threatening maritime migration ventures. Our extensive Coast Guard presence in the area significantly decreased the number of migration events preventing loss of life at sea while protecting the homeland,” said Commander Michael Ross, commanding officer of Resolute.
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