PHOTOS: Coast Guard's newest cutter seizes more than 2,100 pounds of cocaine
Crews aboard the pre-commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) seized more than 2,100 pounds of cocaine from a low-profile go-fast vessel interdicted in international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. That's roughly $64 million in cocaine.
The vessel was spotted from a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk aircrew. The crew observed the vessel's top hatch open and three passengers throwing objects from the vessel.
"Even though the cutter is still in a pre-commission status, this interdiction showcases how ready our crew is and how capable the national security cutters are,” said Capt. Alan McCabe, Midgett’s commanding officer. “It also demonstrates the importance of our partnership with the U.S. Navy, whose contributions are vital in stemming the flow of drugs into the United States.”
Midgett, the Coast Guard’s eighth national security cutter, was accepted by the Coast Guard in April. The cutter passed through the Panama Canal in July and is sailing to Midgett’s future homeport in Honolulu, where it will be commissioned Aug. 24, along with its sister-ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756).
