By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Cory Booth, U.S.
Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs
ABOARD USS VANDEGRIFT, AT SEA (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard
Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and a U.S. Coast
Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) intercepted approximately 875 pounds
of cocaine being smuggled aboard a fishing vessel while on patrol in
international waters off the coast of Central America.
Vandegrift is currently deployed to the 4th Fleet area of
operations in support of Operation Martillo.
"The quick response, professional conduct, and
dedicated efforts of team Vandegrift and our embarked Coast Guard LEDET is
exceptional," said Commander Luis Alva, commanding officer of Vandegrift.
"I remain extremely proud and humble to serve with such a remarkable
team."
Vandegrift's crew first detected a small suspect craft on
radar. After closing in on the target, Vandegrift utilized an SH-60B Sea Hawk
helicopter, flown by Sailors from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light
(HSL) 49, to further track and visually identify the suspicious vessel at sea.
The Eleventh Coast Guard District directed the Vandegrift to
deploy its joint Coast Guard LEDET/Navy Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS)
boat crew to intercept the vessel. Upon boarding, the LEDET searched the
vessel, discovering approximately 400 individually wrapped packages of cocaine
hidden within the ship.
"Our crew remains focused and eager for continued
operational success," said Commander Daryl Robbin, executive officer of
Vandegrift. "We are very proud of our team onboard Vandegrift."
This marks Vandegrift's fourth successful smuggling
interception in recent months, disrupting an approximated 5800 pounds of
cocaine shipments off the coast of Central America.
Operation Martillo, a joint operation involving the U.S.,
European and Western Hemisphere partner-nations, targets illicit trafficking
routes in the waters off Central America. Operation Martillo began in Jan.
2012. U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) leads the U.S. military involvement in
the Joint Operation Task Force.
Overall coordination of counter-drug patrols and
surveillance in the Eastern Pacific is done by a joint interagency task force
headquartered in Key West, Florida. U.S. maritime law enforcement and the
interdiction phase of operations in the region occurs under the tactical
control of the Eleventh Coast Guard District headquartered in Alameda,
California.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet
support USSOUTHCOM's joint and combined military operations by employing
maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access,
enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance
regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean,
Central and South American regions.
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