FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 13, 1999
USCG Contact: Cdr. Jim McPherson
Tel.: (202) 267-1933
DOT Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-5580
DOT 138-99
White House Drug Policy Contact: Bob Weiner
Tel.: (202) 395-6618
U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater, White House Drug Czar McCaffrey, Coast Guard Commandant Loy Announce Record Seizures and Success Of Drug Interdiction Effort
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today joined Barry McCaffrey, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Admiral James M. Loy, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to announce the successful implementation of a new Caribbean counter-narcotics initiative that has resulted in record seizures.
"Operation New Frontier" was the Coast Guard’s first deployment of armed helicopters designed to stop small high-speed smuggling vessels carrying narcotics bound for the United States. The helicopter crew deployed state-of-the-art, non-lethal weapons to stop the fleeing boats, known as "Go-Fasts." The test and evaluation of the program was secretly conducted during the last 10 months and resulted in the seizure of a record 53 tons of cocaine.
Slater, McCaffrey and Loy made the announcement at U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters, where one of the helicopters used in the seizures was on display.
"President Clinton has said this is not a time to rest, but a time to build as we prepare to meet the challenges of the 21st century," said Secretary Slater. "Thanks to the brave and dedicated men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, we are seeing a decline in drug use. Their vigilance and tireless commitment is making a difference for the American people."
"Today’s announcements show a remarkable confluence of cutting-edge science and policy-making at their best," Director McCaffrey said. "This is courage, ingenuity and technology. We congratulate the Coast Guard for using a successful integrated systems approach to field helicopters, non-lethal technology, and command-and-control equipment to meet the threat."
"Last October, the Clinton administration and Congress entrusted the U.S.Coast Guard with additional resources to curb the flow of illegal drugs," Admiral Loy said. "We stand here less than one year later pleased to report that we have seized a record amount of cocaine and developed promising new tactics for catching high-speed maritime narco-traffickers. Today’s event is about stewardship and results."
Secretary Slater added that the operation, which involved the close cooperation of the Coast Guard and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, is helping to fulfill the goals of President Clinton’s 1999 National Drug Control Strategy issued by Director McCaffrey. This strategy is a $17.8 billion anti-drug proposal to provide drug control on U.S. borders, better enforcement of drug laws in the nation’s communities, and better anti-drug education for America’s youth.
The armed helicopters and cutters interdicted four vessels and more than 6,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana on the first operational deployment alone.
On average, more than one "Go-Fast" per day carries narcotics across the Caribbean to the United States. Eighty-five percent of the non-commercial maritime drug shipments are carried on these vessels.
Today’s announcement follows two other successful drug-seizure operations by the Coast Guard. In January, the Coast Guard boarded the motor vessel Cannes in the Caribbean and seized four tons of cocaine, one of the largest cocaine seizures in history. And in April, Secretary Slater announced that under "Operation Frontier Lance" the Coast Guard is providing patrol boats to Caribbean nations, including Haiti and Barbados, to give them the tools to enforce their drug laws.
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