To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard:
I'm proud to tell you that over the past five days, Pacific Area Coast Guard
units, with the help of our U.S. Navy and interagency partners, seized over
14 tons of cocaine from two Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) vessels
in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. On 13 September, a Navy maritime patrol
aircraft (MPA) detected an SPSS in international waters and vectored a Navy
ship, with a Pacific Area Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), to intercept
it. After conducting an unannounced nighttime boarding, the LEDET
discovered 7 tons of cocaine. Then on 17 September, another Navy MPA
detected an SPSS and vectored the cutter MIDGETT to investigate. MIDGETT's
boarding team subsequently discovered an additional 7 tons of cocaine. SPSS
vessels have become the conveyance of choice for narcotics smugglers. I
have attached a background paper on these vessels so you can understand the
unique challenges they present to our law enforcement personnel.
Congratulations to LEDET 404 and MIDGETT for making these seizures, and to
the Pacific Area and Eleventh District staffs for coordinating the
interagency law enforcement process. Their courage, dedication and
professional expertise prevented these dangerous drugs from reaching
American cities. The interoperability between Coast Guard and Navy assets
has never been more effective. Our DOD and interagency partners are a
critical force multiplier making such interdictions possible. We will
continue to enhance those relationships. As satisfying as it is to tell you
about these seizures, we need to understand that SPSS vessels represent a
much larger threat.
The SPSS seized on 13 September was the most sophisticated one we have ever
detected. Its propulsion, steering, and exhaust systems were much more
advanced than earlier versions and its electronic suite rivaled those found
on professionally constructed commercial vessels. SPSS vessels are built
solely for illicit purposes and it's obvious that transnational criminal
networks are investing heavily in this technology.
To date, SPSS vessels have been used to smuggle cocaine from South America
to the United States but they could be converted to smuggle terrorists or
weapons of mass destruction. Through current legislation pending in the
Congress, we are trying to criminalize the operation of stateless SPSS
vessels on international voyages. This will allow us to prosecute SPSS
operators, deter the use of these vessels for other illicit purposes and
increase the safety of Coast Guard boarding teams.
This vessel is just one of the many global maritime threats we deal with on
a daily basis. We will continue to work across the federal government and
through the international community to develop solutions to new challenges
that demand our ingenuity, dedication and commitment. It's an exciting time
to be in the Coast Guard. Every Active Duty member, Reservist, Civilian or
Auxiliarist, whether stationed at an operational unit or directly supporting
one, plays a critical role in protecting, saving and defending the American
public. Thank you for being a Guardian.
Admiral Thad Allen
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
I'm proud to tell you that over the past five days, Pacific Area Coast Guard
units, with the help of our U.S. Navy and interagency partners, seized over
14 tons of cocaine from two Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) vessels
in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. On 13 September, a Navy maritime patrol
aircraft (MPA) detected an SPSS in international waters and vectored a Navy
ship, with a Pacific Area Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), to intercept
it. After conducting an unannounced nighttime boarding, the LEDET
discovered 7 tons of cocaine. Then on 17 September, another Navy MPA
detected an SPSS and vectored the cutter MIDGETT to investigate. MIDGETT's
boarding team subsequently discovered an additional 7 tons of cocaine. SPSS
vessels have become the conveyance of choice for narcotics smugglers. I
have attached a background paper on these vessels so you can understand the
unique challenges they present to our law enforcement personnel.
Congratulations to LEDET 404 and MIDGETT for making these seizures, and to
the Pacific Area and Eleventh District staffs for coordinating the
interagency law enforcement process. Their courage, dedication and
professional expertise prevented these dangerous drugs from reaching
American cities. The interoperability between Coast Guard and Navy assets
has never been more effective. Our DOD and interagency partners are a
critical force multiplier making such interdictions possible. We will
continue to enhance those relationships. As satisfying as it is to tell you
about these seizures, we need to understand that SPSS vessels represent a
much larger threat.
The SPSS seized on 13 September was the most sophisticated one we have ever
detected. Its propulsion, steering, and exhaust systems were much more
advanced than earlier versions and its electronic suite rivaled those found
on professionally constructed commercial vessels. SPSS vessels are built
solely for illicit purposes and it's obvious that transnational criminal
networks are investing heavily in this technology.
To date, SPSS vessels have been used to smuggle cocaine from South America
to the United States but they could be converted to smuggle terrorists or
weapons of mass destruction. Through current legislation pending in the
Congress, we are trying to criminalize the operation of stateless SPSS
vessels on international voyages. This will allow us to prosecute SPSS
operators, deter the use of these vessels for other illicit purposes and
increase the safety of Coast Guard boarding teams.
This vessel is just one of the many global maritime threats we deal with on
a daily basis. We will continue to work across the federal government and
through the international community to develop solutions to new challenges
that demand our ingenuity, dedication and commitment. It's an exciting time
to be in the Coast Guard. Every Active Duty member, Reservist, Civilian or
Auxiliarist, whether stationed at an operational unit or directly supporting
one, plays a critical role in protecting, saving and defending the American
public. Thank you for being a Guardian.
Admiral Thad Allen
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard