Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: November 13, 2008
Contact: PA3 Tara Molle
(206) 220-7237 

Coast Guard Cutter Midgett returns home from successful patrol
Video and interviews available

In this video released by the Coast Guard boarding teams from the Midgett seized a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. of cocaine, and apprehended it's four crewmembers near Guatemala. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer Second Class Prentice Danner)

SEATTLE — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett will be returning to their homeport at Pier 36, here Friday at 3 p.m., from one of the most successful Eastern Pacific Ocean counter-drug patrols in recent Coast Guard history.

The crew seized 11 tons of cocaine and marijuana on five trafficking vessels and detained 20 suspected narcotics traffickers. The crew also made the second-ever seizure of a self propelled semi-submersible by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

The seizures were all a result of cooperation and coordination between other U.S. federal agencies, military commands and several international partners.

In addition to the seizures, the crew of the Midgett conducted three search and rescue cases, one of which was a late night medical evacuation of an injured person. The late night medical evacuation marked the first time a deployed MH-65C helicopter crew had been used for search and rescue.

Media is invited to attend the cutter's arrival at Pier 36. The captain of the Midgett will be available for interviews.

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