No Safety For Drug Smugglers On the High Seas

Story by Ens. W. W. Lloyd Belcher, PAO, USCGC Mohawk

KEY WEST, Fla. - The United States Coast Guard Cutter  Mohawk (WMEC-913), a 270-foot medium endurance cutter home-ported in Key West, and her 100 person crew returned home to Key West February 19 just a bit prouder, having stopped more than six tons of cocaine with an import value in excess of $210 million from reaching the United States.

Speeding across the Caribbean Sea in the dark of night in late January, four men were convinced the 3,000 pounds of pure cocaine sitting in their open-hulled "go fast" was as good as delivered to dealers in the United States.

Just over the horizon, watch standers aboard Mohawk activated the ship's go-fast response bill.  The go-fast bill is a standing plan of action for the crew to take in response to a go-fast sighting.  While there are countless activities that must occur almost simultaneously, the bill ensures they get done with the utmost efficiency.  The alarm awakened the crew from their sleep, initiating a flurry of activity.  Constant training had ensured the crew acted with the precision and speed of a hawk bearing down on its prey.  In minutes the ship's embarked helicopter, from the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville, Fla. began a preflight checklist. The cutter's own "Over the Horizon" pursuit boat was similarly engaged as both prepared to launch to attempt a coordinated drug seizure.

Suspects aboard the go-fast were surely rocked from their security as Mohawk's helicopter appeared out of the darkness.  Coast Guard pilots began hailing the vessel to stop through both radio and visual signaling.  The suspects ignored the hails and dumped their contraband overboard.  Now some 3,000 pounds lighter, the suspects continued to operate their vessel at high rates of speed.  After all attempts to slow the vessel were ignored, the helicopter maneuvered to a safe distance and fired warning shots across the fleeing vessel's bow.  Displaying supreme indifference to the legal authority there before them, the suspects continued in their attempts to evade.  Finally, the helicopter was granted permission to use disabling fire to halt the go-fast.  Drifting aft, the helicopter took station off the vessel's stern.  Using just three precise shots the helicopter's gunner shot out three engines in an exceptional display of marksmanship, destroying all chances of escape.

With the vessel now disabled and drifting, Mohawk's law enforcement team sped to the scene in their pursuit boat.  Once there, the team took control of the vessel and its four suspects, awaiting arrival of the Mohawk for further action.  On-scene tests confirmed the presence of cocaine, thus likely sealing the fate of the four suspects.

As light broke the darkness over the Caribbean, Mohawk and her crew relaxed from their high state of response, transferring the suspects and their vessel to Panamanian authorities.

Ultimately the cutter directly prevented more than 6,000 pounds of pure, uncut cocaine from reaching the shores of the United States during her four week patrol.

"The crew is content with the knowledge their actions make a difference," said Mohawk's commanding officer, Cmdr. John T. Davis. "Our success on this patrol demonstrates how the Coast Guard's maritime counter-drug agreements with Caribbean nations improves our effectiveness in keeping our nation safer from the violence and addiction that comes from illegal drugs, and acts of terror that illegal drug trade finances," he said. His sentiments were echoed throughout the cutter by Mohawk's proud crewmembers.

"I had a family member ruin his life with cocaine," said Petty Officer 3rd Class (MK3) William McGehee.  "To help make it harder for other people to make that same mistake is just an awesome feeling," he said. 

Petty Officer 1st Class (YN1) Alex Acevedo had similar thoughts, "We all volunteered to protect our country.  The fact that we kept more than 6,000 pounds of coke from our streets means I'm protecting my daughter's future along with everyone else's," he said. "I love the fact that my job gives me the opportunity to make a difference."

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