News Release

MIAMI – Today, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the seizure of more than two tons of cocaine from a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this month.

A Coast Guard deployable specialized forces team operating from the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) discovered more than two tons of cocaine during counter narcotics operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Dec. 2.

“This has been a great experience for us, being able to leverage the incredible capabilities of the Oak Hill,” said Cmdr. Rob Landolfi, Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South’s commanding officer.  “Our joint efforts during this deployment have resulted in the seizure of over two tons of cocaine.”

Oak Hill intercepted the motor vessel Mr. Geo in international waters off the Caribbean coast of Honduras. The Coast Guard boarding team recovered a shipment of cocaine, weighing more than 4,400 pounds worth an estimated street value of $245 million.

“We were conducting our Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station mission when we received the tasking to help execute the interdiction,” said Cmdr. David Bauer, Oak Hill’s commanding officer. “I am proud that the crew of Oak Hill was able to assist in the seizure.”

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission’s primary goal is information sharing with navy’s coast guards and civilians in the region. 

The Coast Guard deployable specialized forces team was comprised of law enforcement personnel from Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109).

111209-N-0000X-005 Coast Guard law enforcement team, USS Oak Hill seize cocaine shipment

GULF OF MEXICO – Bales of cocaine, seized by a Coast Guard law enforcement team, are shown ready for transport off of the USS Oak Hill, Dec. 9, 2011. Working jointly with the Oak Hill’s crew, the Coast Guard team, comprised of members from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), interdicted more two tons of cocaine from the motor vessel Mr. Geo. U.S. Navy photo.

111209-N-0000X-048 Coast Guard law enforcement team, USS Oak Hill seize cocaine shipment

GULF OF MEXICO – USS Oak Hill crewmembers prepare bales of cocaine, seized by a Coast Guard law enforcement team, for transport off of the USS Oak Hill, Dec. 9, 2011. Working jointly with the Oak Hill’s crew, the Coast Guard team, comprised of members from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), interdicted more two tons of cocaine from the motor vessel Mr. Geo. U.S. Navy photo.

111209-N-0000X-087 Coast Guard law enforcement team, USS Oak Hill seize cocaine shipment

GULF OF MEXICO – USS Oak Hill crewmembers prepare bales of cocaine, seized by a Coast Guard law enforcement team, for transport off of the USS Oak Hill, Dec. 9, 2011. Working jointly with the Oak Hill’s crew, the Coast Guard team, comprised of members from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), interdicted more two tons of cocaine from the motor vessel Mr. Geo. U.S. Navy photo.