The Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) crew recently returned to Honolulu after a 79-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the counterdrug mission “Operation Pacific Viper.”
While patrolling international waters off the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, Midgett’s crew apprehended 19 suspected drug smugglers and interdicted four suspected drug smuggling vessels, preventing 21,126 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of more than $156.4 million, from reaching U.S. shores.
Midgett’s crew worked alongside other Coast Guard units including law enforcement personnel from Tactical Law Enforcement Team South (TACLET SOUTH), Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) crews, contractors operating V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and Department of War assets. Notably, the ship achieved a significant milestone with HITRON—accomplishing their 1,000th interdiction of suspected drug smuggling vessels.
