Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) Website: http://www.seattle-pi.com/ Address: P.O. Box 1909, Seattle, WA 98111-1909 Contact: 2002 Seattle Post-Intelligencer Author: Mike Barber DRUG DRAMAS ON THE HIGH SEAS Coast Guard Details Cocaine, Marijuana Seizures In Past Year On a brisk day somewhere in the eastern Pacific Ocean in January, the 378-foot long, Seattle-based high-endurance Coast Guard cutter Midgett gave chase to a high-speed "go-fast" drug boat. The 925 pounds of cocaine seized after boarding the small, speedy drug boat, along with 733 pounds seized from another boat that tried to get past the Guard through speed rather than stealth eight days later, were among 46 1/2 tons of cocaine seized by Coast Guard units along the West Coast in the past year. The Coast Guard also seized 20 tons of marijuana between Oct. 1, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2002. Although homeland defense after 9/11 became a higher priority on the Coast Guard's long list of law enforcement and lifesaving missions, Western Coast Guard units still managed to prevent about $4 billion in illegal drugs from reaching U.S. streets, Coast Guard officials said. "The Coast Guard is committed to securing America from all maritime threats, whether they be terrorist or smugglers, and we will continue to deny the seas to those who would harm our citizens," said Vice Adm. Terry Cross, commander of the Coast Guard's Pacific Area. A large chunk of the drug seizures was made during Operation New Frontier, a three-month patrol involving several cutters. More than 19 tons of cocaine and 5 tons of marijuana were confiscated in eight boardings. The Midgett's Jan. 16 and 24 seizures were the third-highest single seizures in Pacific Northwest drug interdiction history, the Coast Guard said. Other Pacific Northwest units that contributed include: * Dec. 4, 2001. Coast Guard Station Bellingham, which seized four duffel bags containing about 121 pounds of marijuana from a 21-foot vessel. * Jan. 26, 2002. The Astoria, Ore.-based cutter Steadfast, which pursued a 30-foot go-fast vessel for seven hours. After those aboard began throwing bales over the side, Steadfast and a Coast Guard HH-65 "Dolphin" helicopter teamed up to recover 562 bales of marijuana totaling 3,572 pounds. Midgett also on Feb. 22 pursued a Mexican-flagged fishing vessel, the Atun X, alleged to be trafficking contraband. As the Midgett approached, the 11-member crew scuttled the vessel. They were detained on the Midgett and turned over to Mexican naval authorities. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth