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Hampton Roads Cutter Seizes 4,600 lbs. of Cocaine

USCG District 5 Public Affairs

Release Date: 5/09/2003

PORTSMOUTH, VA. - PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane intercepted and boarded a 45-foot "go-fast" bound for the U.S. carrying 4,600 pounds of cocaine east of the Yucatan Peninsula April 28.

A Coast Guard C-130 airplane spotted the suspected drug smugglers in the darkness of night using hi-tech C-130 Airborne Sensory Palletized Electronic Reconnaissance equipment or better known as the CASPER system, which gives aircrews the ability to see even the smallest ships from eight to 15 miles away during night or day.

After the position of the "go-fast" was revealed, the Harriet Lane was diverted to the scene to stop the boat.

A Harriet Lane boarding team boarded the "go-fast" and detained four men after they discovered 66 bails of cocaine onboard.

The suspected smugglers, the "go-fast" and the cocaine were transferred to the Cutter Mohawk further transfer to the Cutter Key Biscayne for delivery to the U.S. Attorney in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Harriet Lane is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Va. In addition to counter drug patrols in the Caribbean, the cutter routinely carries out search and rescue missions, fisheries patrols and homeland security operations.