• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Rentz Nets Fourth Drug Bust, Receives Praise from U.S. Attorney

Navy Newsstand

Release Date: 9/16/2003

Story Number: NNS030916-06

Release Date: 9/16/2003 9:08:00 AM

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

ABOARD USS RENTZ, At Sea (NNS) -- During a counter-narcotics patrol in the Eastern Pacific, USS Rentz (FFG 46) and its embarked helicopter and U.S. Coast Law Enforcement Detachment, recently conducted their fourth major drug interdiction, which yielded the seizure of 7,710 pounds of narcotics and the detention of seven suspected drug traffickers.

"The USS Rentz is conducting one of the most successful counter-narcotics tours in recent memory, having participated in at least four separate multi-ton cocaine interdictions that will be prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida," said Paul Perez, U.S. attorney general for the Middle District of Florida. "We applaud their efforts, along with the rest of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, to move the battle-line for the war on drugs from the streets of the United States to the waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea."

Rentz's most recent interdiction operation initiated with the investigation of a radar contact believed to be a suspected drug smuggler. Rentz deployed its embarked helicopter, Lonewolf 47, for a positive visual identification before closing it.

After complying with all pre-boarding procedures and obtaining permission to board from proper authorities, the embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Det. 106 boarding team conducted an initial safety inspection, checking the seaworthiness of the vessel and looking for possible scuttling devices.

After completing the initial search and investigation, the boarding team began conducting at-sea space accountability of the vessel and discovered an 8-by-15-foot void between the engine room and aft steering, where a second tank with cargo was concealed. The boarding team obtained samples of the suspected contraband, which tested positive for cocaine. At this point, Rentz was directed to detain the fishing vessel and its crew.

Since the beginning of its deployment, Rentz has become a major asset in the war on narco-terrorism. The San Diego-based frigate's operations have prevented almost 14,000 pounds of cocaine from reaching the U.S. coasts.

"The success of our team is due in large part to the preparation and training we did ahead of time," said Cmdr. J.D. Frederick, Rentz commanding officer. "We had some intensive U.S. Coast Guard training arranged though Afloat Training Group, Pacific, prior to deploying, and we took the time to learn how interagency partnership operates."

In a culmination of interagency coordination, Rentz posted another victory in our war on drugs. Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Clay Boswell, a member of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team, summed up the success, "It is an amazing feeling, having a position directly responsible for keeping tons of cocaine off our streets."