White House recognition for setting the bar in drug interdiction
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell was recently recognized by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s U.S. Interdiction Coordinator for a drug bust and publishing of a comprehensive guide for strategic, tactical planning and execution of the counter-drug mission.
In the zone: $848 million seized, 144 suspected smugglers apprehended
Today the Coast Guard and its interagency partners marked an important milestone in our Nation’s fight against dangerous transnational organized crime. In just six months, Coast Guardsmen have already interdicted more drugs in the Eastern Pacific than they did in all of fiscal year 2014.
In the Zone: Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell – a recipe for success
Fourteen tons of cocaine seized or disrupted with an estimated wholesale value of $423 million and 55 suspects were apprehended during 18 separate interdictions off the coast of Central and South America. These numbers aren’t a total year’s tally, which would still be impressive – this is just one 90-day patrol for the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell.
In the Zone: U.S. military, partner nations test capabilities in Eastern Pacific
U.S. military, law enforcement agencies and regional partner-nation law enforcement agencies patrol the waters in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific on a year-round basis in an effort to detect, monitor and interdict illicit traffickers.
Coast Guard, Western Hemisphere partners seize $423M in cocaine during multiple drug busts
“Our crew used their unique capabilities and authorities as a military service, law enforcement agency, and member of the U.S. intelligence community to disrupt transnational organized crime networks in the Eastern Pacific and keep drugs from making it to the U.S.,” said Capt. Edward A. Westfall, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell. “These illegal drug networks are dangerous breeding grounds for all types of trafficking and their immense profits fuel violence and instability.”
Working for the present, building leaders for the future
“In every way [Chief Warrant Officer John Rice] epitomizes what we look for in our leaders and is the gold standard for commitment, professionalism, leadership and character,” said Cmdr. Tony Russell, Boutwell’s former executive officer. “Notable as his tangible impacts were, one cannot truly appreciate the magnitude of his contributions without seeing the way he cares for, nurtures, trains and challenges this crew – in his division and beyond.”
Shipmate of the Week – DCC Dennis Amerson
Written by Lt. j.g. Stephen Henderson, Yard Facilities management department. The Coast Guard Yard, founded in 1899, is the Coast Guard’s only shipyard and is responsible for construction, repairs and renovations of the Coast Guard’s surface fleet and aids to […]
Your Coast Guard in 2011 – Pacific Area
Coast Guard Pacific Area is responsible for 74 million square miles of ocean, ranging from South America, north to the Arctic Circle and west to the Far East. With such an expansive area, crews must remain ever-vigilant for the full gamut of Coast Guard missions.
Bertholf, Boutwell nab drugs, smugglers on high seas
A month ago today Compass brought you the story of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche’s drug seizure on its inaugural deployment. The rest of the month mirrored Waesche’s success. Case in point: The crews of Coast Guard Cutters Bertholf and Boutwell […]
History: Arctic rescue changes face of Coast Guard operations
Co-authored by Ademide Adedokun. Thirty-one years ago today, the Coast Guard led one of the nation’s largest search and rescue cases when the 519 passengers and crew of the Dutch cruise liner Prinsendam were forced to abandon ship more than […]