News Release

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KEY WEST, Fla. -- Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence offload 2,808 pounds of cocaine at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., Sept. 30, 2011. The cocaine was seized from four suspected smugglers aboard a vessel during a routine boarding on Sept. 3, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3^rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

MIAMI -- Boatcrews from the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence board a fishing vessel in the Caribbean Sea Sept. 3, 2011. The vessel was carrying 2,808 pounds of cocaine. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

MIAMI -- Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence transfer bales of cocaine onto the cutter in the Caribbean Sea Sept. 3, 2011. The Diligence crew seized 2,808 pounds of cocaine during the boarding of a fishing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

KEY WEST, Fla. -- The Coast Guard Cutter Diligence approaches Coast Guard Sector Key West Sept. 30, 2011. The Diligence crew offloaded 2,808 pounds of cocaine at Sector Key West from a vessel interdicted Sept. 3, 2011, in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

KEY WEST, Fla. -- Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Tyler, a crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence, offloads a bale of cocaine at Coast Guard Sector Key West Sept. 30, 2011. The cocaine was seized from four suspected smugglers aboard a vessel during a routine boarding Sept. 3, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

KEY WEST, Fla. -- Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence offload 2,808 pounds of cocaine at Coast Guard Sector Key West Sept. 30, 2011. The cocaine was seized from four suspected smugglers aboard a vessel during a routine boarding Sept. 3, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

KEY WEST, Fla. -- Capt. Brendan McPherson, 7th Coast Guard District chief of enforcement, commends crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence at Coast Guard Sector Key West Sept. 30, 2011. The crew of the cutter Diligence interdicted 2,927 pounds of cocaine during two separate cases while patrolling the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence interdicted 2,927 pounds of cocaine during two separate cases while patrolling the Caribbean Sea. 

While conducting a patrol, Diligence crewmembers located a fishing vessel in the Eastern Caribbean Sea Sept. 16. Diligence crewmembers made a plain-view discovery and retrieved 54 individually wrapped packages that tested positive for cocaine. The cocaine weighed 119 pounds and has an estimated street value of $1.5 million.

The contraband and five detainees were transferred to the District of U.S. Virgin Islands.

On Sept. 3, Diligence crewmembers located a 35-foot fishing vessel in the Western Caribbean Sea. The Diligence crew launched its smallboat to stop the vessel in order for Diligence’s boarding team to conduct a Right of Visit boarding in accordance with international law.

The boarding team made a plain-view discovery of suspicious packages testing positive for cocaine.

The Diligence crew was able to detain four suspected smugglers aboard the vessel and prevent the trafficking of 2,808 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $34 million.

“These interdictions were conducted during joint operations with Dutch and French authorities and highlight the importance and effectiveness of international partnerships as we work to stem the flow of illegal narcotics,” said Cmdr. Douglas Goodwin, Diligence's commanding officer.  “Additionally, the professionalism and proficiency of Diligence's crew were critical to our success in interdicting these vessels.”

The detainees were transferred to federal law enforcement officials at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The contraband was offloaded at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., Friday.     

The Diligence is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Wilmington, N.C.