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Samuel B. Roberts Intercepts 7,000-lb. Drug Shipment

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040109-01

Release Date: 1/9/2004 2:13:00 PM

By Ensign Jaime Lehto, USS Samuel B. Roberts Public Affairs

ABOARD USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), working with Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 403, recently detained eight suspected drug traffickers and recovered more than 7,000 lbs. of cocaine from an ablaze vessel while at the mid-point of a record-setting counter-drug deployment.

Roberts was ordered to intercept and question a suspicious vessel that was being tracked by the ship's embarked helicopter, Magnum 450, from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL) 44 Det. 7. But initial attempts to establish communications received no response. Finally, the suspected vessel sent a message stating there was an emergency aboard and that the vessel was taking on water.

Immediately, the LEDET headed to the vessel aboard Robert's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), while the bridge watchstanders monitored the vessel for signs of an emergency. Abruptly, and to the dismay of Robert's crew, the smell of fuel oil became evident, even from a distance of several hundred yards.

While the RHIB was approaching, men aboard the suspect vessel lowered a raft. When the RHIB was alongside the vessel, LEDET team members quickly embarked to ensure it was not taking on water. Suddenly, one suspect threw a Molotov cocktail, immediately engulfing the wooden fishing vessel in flames. From the magnitude of the flames, it was clear the men had spread fuel oil throughout the vessel in an attempt to destroy it and the evidence suspected to be aboard. The members of the LEDET team quickly debarked the vessel without incident, but minutes later, a huge explosion erupted as the fire reached one of the fuel tanks.

Keeping a safe distance from the burning vessel, the Coast Guard team kept watch on the eight suspects that had abandoned the vessel after setting in on fire.

Putting to use their damage control training, Robert's crew salvaged the vessel to preserve the suspected contraband. Using Aqueous Film Forming Foam to smother the fire, the hose teams worked for more than three hours until the blaze was under control.

"That was the most exciting time I've ever had in the Navy. That was my first fire, and I was glad I was involved. I finally got to put all that training to use," stated Damage Controlman 2nd Class Chuck Hickey.

"I was very impressed by the aggressive response to the fire; the firefighting effort was supported by the entire ship. Events like this really test a ship's damage control readiness and the crew's training. Everyone did a great job," said Ensign Tom Delaney, Roberts' damage control assistant.

Though the superstructure of the vessel was completely destroyed, the holds below the main deck remained intact. After receiving permission from Coast Guard, District 11, LEDET 403 began investigating the remains. It wasn't long before the team discovered a false water tank filled with bundled packages that tested positive for cocaine.

"My team and the crew of the Samuel B. Roberts worked together to recover the cocaine, never allowing themselves to become discouraged by the difficult circumstances," said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Gerald Fox, LEDET 403's boarding officer.

Roberts, a Commander, Naval Surface Group 2 ship, assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14, has recovered more than 9 metric tons of cocaine in less than three months and is on track to having one of the most successful counter-drug operations deployments on record.

"My crew continues to amaze me with their tenacity and relentless pursuit of suspected drug smugglers. With every bust different from the last, this one presented a major damage control challenge that was met with courage and professionalism. The performance of my damage control team was beyond outstanding and was directly responsible for the seizure of more than 7,000 lbs. of cocaine," said Roberts' Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael A Hall.

Like Samuel B. Roberts, U.S. Navy ships deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility work in cooperation with the Coast Guard and other counter-drug agencies to keep illegal narcotics from reaching the U.S. coast and the profits of this illegal trade from reaching terrorist hands.