DATE: September 4, 2009 10:35:57 AM EDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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News Release

Date:
Sept. 4, 2009

Contact:
Petty Officer Rob Simpson
305-965-4672
**Media Availability** Resolute crew returns home after busy 52-day patrol

Media note: Media interested in attending the event are requested to arrive at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg's South Moorings, 1301 Beach Drive S.E., St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, no later than 7:45 a.m.  Interviews with crewmembers will be available.  Please contact Petty Officer Rob Simpson at 305-965-4672 for additional information. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Resolute is scheduled to return home Saturday at 8 a.m., after a successful 52-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea and a significant cocaine seizure.

During their patrol in the Western Caribbean, Resolute crewmembers conducted an at-sea law-enforcement boarding of a 213-foot Panamanian coastal freighter Aug. 24 and discovered hidden compartments loaded with bales of cocaine.  In total, Resolute crewmembers seized 8,150 pounds of cocaine and detained nine suspected smugglers from the vessel.

The cocaine, three Panamanian suspects and the vessel were transferred to Panamanian officials.  The six remaining suspects were transferred to U.S. law-enforcement officials ashore.

“I couldn’t be more proud than I am of the men and women of the Resolute,” said Cmdr. Nate Moore, Resolute’s commanding officer.  “Their professionalism, dedication and teamwork were directly responsible for our success in getting this huge bust.  Knowing that we’ve kept more than four tons of cocaine out of the United States is a great feeling.”

Resolute is a 210-foot Reliance class cutter and has a crew complement of 12 officers and 68 enlisted personnel.

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