Crews aboard the US Coast Guard Legend-class cutter Midgett have seized narcotics worth approximately US$64 million from a suspect vessel interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
On July 25, an MH-60R Sea Hawk aircrew embarked aboard the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Michael Murphy sighted a low-profile go-fast vessel. As the helicopter approached, a hatch opened on the top of the vessel and three passengers were seen jettisoning objects.
Michael Murphy remained with the suspected smuggling vessel until Midgett arrived on scene to conduct a law enforcement boarding.
The cutter's boarding team later seized approximately 950 kilograms of cocaine from the interdiction and apprehended three suspected smugglers.
Midgett's commanding officer, Captain Alan McCabe, said that his crew conducted the seizure even though their cutter had not yet been formally commissioned into coast guard service.
It is the cutter's second documented operation while in "pre-commissioned" status following the successful rescue of a distressed mariner in the waters off North Carolina in early July.
Midgett is scheduled to be commissioned into service before the end of August.
