US Coast Guard cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) is set to offload over 7 tons of cocaine in Port Everglades on Thursday.
The cocaine was seized in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean from early June to mid-July from seven suspected smuggling vessels.
In an operation on July 3, the Mohawk crew and Tactical Law Enforcement Team South also interdicted a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS). The coast guard did not provide much information about the feat but stopping an SPSS is always challenging because of its low profile, a high speed attained with outboard engines its paint that allows it to blend in with the water to avoid detection.
In addition to Mohawk, Coast three other cutters are responsible for the interdiction of seven tons of cocaine. Mohawk was responsible for four cases, seizing an estimated 3,395 kilograms of cocaine. USCGC Tampa seized an estimated 1,363 kilograms of cocaine in two cases. USCGC Venturous was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 741 kilograms of cocaine and USCGC Alert seized an estimated 981 kilograms in two interdictions.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Mohawk’s crew,” said Cmdr. Bob Kinsey, cutter Mohawk commanding officer. “Today’s offload highlights the successes of a dedicated team of multiple cutters and international and interagency partners who remain committed to disabling the illicit smuggling networks that fuel criminal organizations and threaten our economic, national and border security.”