1st major drug bust for new Coast Guard boat

Posted by LT Stephanie Young, Thursday, February 17, 2011

Response Boat Medium (RB-M)

The new 45-foot Response Boat Medium was delivered to Coast Guard Station San Juan May 29, 2009. The RB-M replaces the 41-foot Utility Boats with improvements in performance, crew efficiency and operational availability. To date, 48 of 105 RB-M's ordered have been delivered to units across the U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station San Juan.

Ricardo Castrodad, Coast Guard Sector San Juan public affairs, contributed to this post

As the Coast Guard continues its recapitalization efforts, one of the service’s newest platforms is making its mark as a highly capable, multi-mission asset.

cocaine seizure

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Ninety-five kilograms of cocaine was seized by U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection officers working for the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. Photo courtesy of Customs and Border Protection.

The 45-foot Response Boat-Medium conducted its first major drug interdiction a few weeks ago aiming to not only complement the Coast Guard’s ability to intercept suspect go-fast vessels but also to put a dent in counter drug operations.

When U.S. Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch surveillance aircraft detected an 18-foot yola traveling towards Puerto Rico without any navigation lights on the evening of January 30, the Coast Guard launched Station San Juan’s RB-M and Coast Guard Cutter Matinicus to intercept the suspect vessel.

First on scene and being directed by a CBP helicopter, the RB-M approached the suspect vessel as the passengers aboard began to throw cargo overboard. Upon intercept, the RB-M crew embarked the two Dominicans, dewatered the unstable boat to prevent it from sinking, and recovered two suitcases of contraband from the water. After a first-light search, the Matinicus crew recovered one other suitcase. A field test sample indicated that the suitcases contained cocaine.

Working jointly with Caribbean Corridor Strike Force partners, the custody of the two Dominicans and the 95 bricks of cocaine were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations agents for further investigations Jan. 31.

RBM decal

SAs part of a time-honored tradition, a “Snowflake” decal was placed on Station San Juan’s RB-M on Feb. 14, representing the station’s cocaine interdiction. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ricardo Castrodad.

“The 45-foot RB-M has continued to exceed all of our expectations,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Pump, Station San Juan officer-in-charge. “This interdiction is one more example of the amount of utility that was designed into this boat. The designers and builders should be proud that their efforts have resulted in an outstanding multi-mission platform that will capably safeguard our maritime domain.”

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  • Steven J Boyle

    Congratulations to Sector San Juan. Job well done. Let’s remember It’s not the boat that makes drug busts. Its the high quality, dedicted Coast Guard professionals that do. Let’s not give too much credit to the platform. It’s nice to have good equipment but better to have great people. Fortunately for America, the Coast Guard is full of great people. Semper Paratus!

  • Anonymous

    …good to see we’re winning this war!!

  • Coastie4life

    I agree with S.Boyle. That hunk of junk aluminum is nothing without the fine dedicated “Coasties” that operate the equipment. Im a NAVENG retired, and the Coast Guard needs to give our people something to be proud of by allowing a “Best Value” contract, rather than the lowest bidder. You will see, this boat will see its quality real soon now.

  • S Clendenin

    Congrats to Station San Juan Crew in their lastest successful mission removing drugs from the streets in the United States. As one of the orginial RB-M Test Crew thank you for believing in the RB-M capabilities as a multi-mission boat. The Design Team, Builders and RB-M PRO take great pride and stand behind the RB-M product. WELL DONE Station San Juan, Scott Clendenin.

  • Rick

    AS a former crewman on 41365, I can say that we would have loved the upgrades that are on the 45; especially the shock absorbing seats. Most Coasties I know that stayed in more than 4 years (me included) have had back and/or knee problems because those were our shock absorbers.

  • Shelly

    Good Job! Thanks for being hero’s and busting down the zero’s!

  • Tinsley Grey Sammons

    THE WHOLE TRUTH

    The Drug War is an unlawful statute-supported racket that serves parasites and opportunists on both sides of the law.

    No Power that contravenes the Principles underpinning the non-amendable July 4, 1776 Action of the Second Continental Congress has Lawful Authority. Drug Prohibition is legal but it certainly isn’t lawful. There is an ethical element in lawful that is often painfully absent in legal.

    Shamefully, only one lawmaker — Congressman Ron Paul — is publicly in agreement with me concerning the Drug War’s unconstitutionality and he has publicly exposed it for what it really is. Unfortunately, the Media failed in its ethical duty to make front page news of Congressman Paul’s opinion.

    Why?

    Fraudulent application of the Constitution’s Commerce Clause was necessary to legally implement de facto Drug Prohibition. And fraud is intrinsically criminal.

    The Great Drug Persecution is supported with disinformation, half-truths, and even deliberate lies. The REAL criminals in the Drug War are those who created it and those who perpetuate it.

    Unfortunately, elections alone will never salvage the American Ideal. However, a FELLOWSHIP FOR LAWFUL GOVERNMENT in every jurisdiction could do the job. Backed by the legitimate Law of the Land, such Fellowships could crush the illegitimate Legal System that has supplanted the legitimate Law of the Land.. The misrule of America by the Brotherhood of Juris Doctors and Career Politicians could be brought to the ignominious end that it has so shamefully earned.

    tgsammons.wordpress.com

    Tinsley Grey Sammons, 1936 — is a self-educated Veteran with an abiding passion for liberty and justice. He served as an enlisted man in both the Coast Guard and the Air Force.during the Cold War and retired from his automobile service and repair business in 1998. He describes himself as a very angry, blue-collar-to-the-marrow curmudgeon. He and his wife settled in Gonzales, Louisiana after their home in St. Bernard Parish was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

  • David Dorsey

    Good job Sector San Jaun! – DC2 Dorsey USCG TAMPA

  • Tinsley Grey Sammons

    Never happen. It is an enduring persecution that financially benefit a multitude of Badlaw Parasites and opportunists. It is not a war.

    The so-called Drug War has established a precedent that is proving to be instrumental in the systematic violation of the Bill of Rights.

    Those who took an oath or affirmed that they will defend the Constitution should take it seriously.

    tgsammons.wordpress.com

  • Dscouten

    Good job by boat and crew. Keep up the good work. Semper Paratus. CWO4 retired.