SAN DIEGO–Agencies from the Department of Homeland Security detected and interdicted a suspected smuggling boat carrying approximately 1,400 pounds of marijuana approximately 40 miles southwest of San Diego on July 25.
Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations crews notified San Diego’s Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders of suspected smuggling activity aboard a 35-foot vessel at approximately 7 p.m. JHOC watchstanders diverted the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dorado (WPB-87306) that was conducting a routine counter-smuggling patrol in the area.
Dorado arrived on scene at approximately 10:30 p.m. after being vectored in by CBP AMO crews. The Dorado crew launched their interceptor boat with a boarding team that discovered approximately 1,400 pounds of marijuana aboard the suspicious vessel. Two suspected smugglers were detained.
Dorado’s crew transported the marijuana and suspected smugglers to San Diego where CBP’s AMO crew took custody of the suspected smuggling vessel and Homeland Security Investigation’s Marine Task Force took custody of the suspected smugglers and contraband.
“The crew of Dorado had a very successful mission while patrolling the waters off the coast of San Diego and we at the district headquarters could not be prouder of them,” said Capt. Arthur Snyder, 11th Coast Guard District chief of response. “The Dorado has demonstrated they are capable of executing a wide range of missions, whether it is enforcing fishing regulations off the California, Oregon border, interdicting drugs off the California, Mexico border or saving lives anywhere in between, they are ready to serve the American public.”
The Regional Coordinating Mechanism is another example of the evolution of joint operations among interagency partners. Located in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the ReCoM partnerships include the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP’s Office of Air and Marine, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with state and local law enforcement partners operating along the California coast.
Dorado is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Crescent City.
