Coast Guard Bust Nets 21 Tons Of Cocaine

DEA: Seizure Off Coast Of Panama Cost Mexican Drug Lords $300 Million

(CBS/AP)  A Coast Guard boarding of a suspicious vessel off the coast of Panama led to a record seizure of cocaine — nearly 43,000 pounds of the drug hidden in two containers onboard the vessel Gatun.

The Gatun was initially spotted by a Coast Guard patrol aircraft about 20 miles southwest of Isla de Coiba, Panama, on Saturday. After obtaining permission from the government of Panama, a Coast Guard boarding team searched the Gatun on Sunday and discovered the drug cache.

Sources say the colossal shipment of cocaine was loaded aboard the vessel in Colombia and heading for Mexico, where a cartel was waiting to funnel the drugs into the United States, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr.

The 14 crewmembers, Panamanian and Mexican nationals, were arrested and are being transferred to Tampa, Fla., and Panama, where they will be prosecuted.

The seizure is part of an ongoing multi-agency operation known as "Panama Express," according to a Homeland Security official who requested anonymity because the official announcement had not yet been made.

"This record-breaking seizure denied the Mexican drug lords $300 million in drug revenue," said DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy. "This lost drug revenue, combined with last week's unrelated record-breaking $205 million cash seizure by the Government of Mexico working in partnership with DEA, dealt Mexican traffickers a one-two punch: they're down more than half a billion dollars in blood money in just 48 hours."

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, in a statement, commended the government of Panama for its cooperation.

"Because of the combined efforts of these federal and international partners, millions of dollars in illegal drugs did not make their way into our homeland and criminal groups were not able to reap the huge profits," he added.

This latest victory in the war on drugs is good news, adds CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts, but seizing more than 20 tons of cocaine barely scratches the surface of America's drug problem.

An estimated 20 million Americans still use illegal drugs. Three million of them use cocaine.

Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard, said his agency's "hardworking crews overcame significant challenges in maintaining a 40-year-old deepwater cutter to prosecute this mission far from U.S. shores."

In recent months, the Coast Guard has acknowledged that it has had to contend with design flaws in some of its ships.

The seizure comes at a time the U.S. military has cutback its drug interdiction patrols and surveillance in the Caribbean to concentrate on war efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, adds Orr.

[kla1965]

GREAT JOB ,WAY TO PROTECT .GOOD JOB COAST GUARD

[one_american]

EGADS! THERE GOES NANCY PELOSI'S DEMOCRAT SPRING BREAK PARTY!

Major kudos to our Coast Guard for doing an outstanding job at protecting our country!!!

[v_1618]

GOOD JOB THIS TRAFFIC SUCKER NEEDS DEATH PENALTY FOR THIS.. THE WORLD ECONOMY IS AFFECTED FOR THIS DRUG LORDS AND ARE AFFECTING THE EMPLOYMENT OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ...

[neitherone]

party's over in NYC for at least a week :)

[delta5243]

well, that'll jack up the price of a teener......

[rafterman1]

"EGADS! THERE GOES NANCY PELOSI'S DEMOCRAT SPRING BREAK PARTY!"

Pretty ballsy of you to go there since Bush is the former cocainee user, not Pelosi. But I see you working there, nice try.

[baronez111]

You watch, there will be an increase in violence in the larger cities of Georgia such as Savannah, Augusta, and Atlanta, as drug-traffickers and customers don't get their cocaine shipments that they are depending on. Unfortunately, innocent people often get vented upon and caught in the crossfires of the ensuing confusion. I expected that to happen in the last big bust off the coast of Florida and it played out just like I expected even in the suburbs of Augusta, GA.

[bogusbones]

Good for the USCG, our forgotten arm of our military forces. Every gram of cocaine that gets confiscated is a victory for our society as a whole.

[Philscbx]

21 Tons? Look what they show as to what it takes to make a pound. Unreal. Too hard to grasp that much in one spot.
Now how do you get rid of it?
As an alternative fuel?
Is it going to cause some form of pollution now?

Lets see this report.

[scott4261]

Holy moly!!

[Philscbx]

21 Tons? Look what they show as to what it takes to make a pound. Unreal. Too hard to grasp that much in one spot.
Now how do you get rid of it?
As an alternative fuel?
Is it going to cause some form of pollution now?

Lets see this report.

[connapa]

That should put a few dealers out of business as well. Unfortunately for those who are addicted, their habit will get a bit more expensive.

[gerryrigger]

Have any of you ever wondered what happens after the seizure of the shipment? The news hardly ever has coverage of the actual destruction of the contraband. We should all demand the use of citizen witnesses and video documentation to monitor the destruction of illegal drugs, especially big shipments, at the earliest opportunity. If the drugs have to be held as evidence in a court of law, they should first be chemically treated to render them unusable. America's drug problem is more widespread and far-reaching than America wants to admit. And where I live, I suspect crooked L.E. is part of the drug supply chain.

[bushfan3]

Good more crack off the streets and into good hands. I am glad that the Coast Guard is working hard out there to stop the drug flow.

[scott4261]

I'm no angel, but I haven't touched the stuff since the 1980s. And I've seen it and its derivatives (crack and meth) devastate lives and communities.

Having said that, the epidemic of drug use is much more widespread than anyone wants to admit. I am against prohibition, because people 21 and over should be able to make that choice for themselves. Prohibition did not work for alcohol and it has not and will never work for drug use. Better to regulate it and tax it. And if that is done, then crime will drop dramatically because the underground market will disappear.

[bogusbones]

jerryrigger

i have often thought that sometimes the agencies use drugs, especially in the inner cities, to keep the masses "satisfied" and pacified. who cares if these people are on drugs or killing one another for drugs. at least they're not rioting and destroying property on a large scale. i support your idea for a citizen observation of the destruction of the drugs. if you think about it, it could mean some serious revenue generation for some government department(s).

[bboc77]

GOOD JOB

[bboc77]

I think this is so great. But like they say for every one load that don't make it there is another 9 loads that do make it. It's a lose lose situation. I hear that in some part of Tx they burn drugs in an incinerator.

[anopinion1]

soo thats why francisco did'nt show up last night...
i mean
opps



j/k thats a pretty insane amount.
anyone ever watch the dave chappele show??
where he plays the crack head!!! for some reason all i can picture is him when i read this article.

I guess prez bonehead bush will have enough to satisify his fix for awhile now.

[davidwayne20]

this is just another tactic by Bush to take our attention off of Iraq.

[anopinion1]

this is just another tactic by Bush to take our attention off of Iraq.
Posted by DavidWayne20 at 04:44 PM : Mar 21, 2007

wow man ever god damm media article can't be about president doushe bag..........
you and people like you are getting sooooooo sooooo annoying on these posts.
what it takes our mind off iraq for 0.00009893 seconds.
lately it seems nearly half of the articles on CBS neway are about iraq and prez doushe bag. anotherwords, we KNOW ABOUT IRAQ SO SUCK IT!!!

[luciamia1]

I am the proud mother of a young man who served in the USCG for several years. Yes, to all who blather on this site: the Coast Guard is 36,000 strong and made a cohesive force by excellent training, solid leadership and determined will. My son was aboard the same size vessel, a 378, that subdued the Gatun. And he was part of one of these same boarding parties. It is a dangerous job and one no one should ever assume it less than that of any member of our armed forces placed in harms way for the common good.

I neither like nor respect George Bush but do not confuse your politics with the difficult and credible work of the United States Coast Guard. Ask yourself: was their tireless rescue of the waterbound in New Orleans another Presidential plot? It was only when the command was given to the Coast Guard did any cohesive action take place.

The statement by Adm. Thad Allen should make us all consider: "hardworking crews overcame significant challenges in maintaining a 40-year-old deepwater cutter to prosecute this mission far from U.S. shores."

Please urge your Congressional delegation to support the USCG and their mission with a fleet-wide vessel upgrade. And, remember these young people in your prayers for protection. Thank you.

[radiob-2009]

luciamia1 at 05:01 PM : Mar 21, 2007
Well put!!

[ov442]

Nice Job to one of the USA's finest groups of citizens. These guys risk their lives everyday to do two things - combat guard our coasts from criminals and save our people's lives in the water. Both equally risky.

How does President ****** get involved in this article? He didnt join the Coast Guard, its too dangerous. Hes busy trying to circle up the wagons and hide all the illegal dealings and actions by his band of cronies.

This drug bust is all USCG credit!

[cosmicfluke]

it's just a drop in the bucket.
it will have no effect on anybody, anywhere, with the exception of the poor mules, who will take all the punishment for this.
The War on Drugs is a collossal waste of money, we've poured BILLIONS AND BILLIONS into it. So what if they bust a half a billion? busts are written into the cost.

[bildooreilly]

They must have been competing with the CIA, the only people that get busted is the governments competition.

[cosmicfluke]

the Coast Guard should not be working for the DEA.

[bildooreilly]

They'll never end the "war on drugs" it's way too profitable, first of all the CIA and other government agencies bring all the hard drugs into the country, then they sell them and make lots of money doing that, then they go bust users and low level dealers and make a bunch of money off of that, then they charge taxpayers 30,000 a year to warehouse these people in prisons and they make a bunch of money off of that, and then they use those people as 17 cent an hour slave labor to big corporations and make a bunch of money off of that. Prisons are the biggest industry in america right now, and they rely on their phony war on drugs to keep it booming.

[bildooreilly]

All you drug users out there that think you're "cool" and "anti establishment" are falling right into their trap. That money you're spending on drugs goes directly to gangs like the CIA and DEA who are in charge of bringing illegal drugs into our country. There are even declassified CIA documents that show Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead was a CIA operative, the government WANTED you suckers to start using drugs. You're nothing but a rat in their cage if you're playing their game. Help put the CIA out of business, stop using drugs.

[cosmicfluke]

Children, listen closely; don't do drugs, smoke pot instead!

[noaanhc]

Until we as a nation eliminate the demand for illegal drugs,we are in a losing battle for they could seize 200 million tons of coke,and it wouldn't make a difference at all,for just too many Americans want this stuff.For the life of me
I just cannot understand why anyone would use illegal drugs in the first place.These people are just consigning themselves to an early grave.

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[maroche-2009]

It is nice to hear what the Coast Guard does.My son was part of the bust. We are proud of him and all the crew on his ship to keep us safe. Every bust they make is that much less on the streets of America for our kids to get a hold of. So thanks to the Coast Guard for all they do

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[afay3]

I am disgusted with the bias shown by Katie Couric on this drug bust story. She said something to the effect that it's "One for the good guys."

Does she not have any idea how disastrous is the drug war? That this bust will deprive the US market of tons and tons of product? And that this will do nothing but push up the street price? And more users will have to rob innocent people?

Does she not have any clue what happened with Prohibition in the 1920's? And the disaster that policy became?

I am always amazed at the ignorance of our major media "stars."

Art Fay

[sclaires]

If only some of the people who have posted negative comments about the seizure of the 21 tons of cocaine realized just what illegal drugs do to the human body then they would be all for the seizure. And, we must not forget about the babies who are harmed in utero by drugs. Those poor babies are the ones who will suffer for the rest of their lives for what their mothers did while pregnant. They are the ones who will cost the tax payers for long term care. No, the more illegal drugs that are seized the better. That saves United States money from going to other countries to support the drug lords. As long as illegal drugs are seized and destroyed, there are less people who will have assess to them. I support the United States Coast Guard for the good work they did in stopping the vessel and seizing the cocaine. It is a dangerous job for anyone and we should give all the support to the one who do it.

[figuy30]

thanks for a job well done coast guard, admiral thad allen, dea,homeland security, and all others responsible for the courageous drug busts and for protecting america. i don't think drug smugglers should be given any lawyers at u.s. taxpayer expense to defend them and try to get them off the hook. maybe a good death sentence mandated into law for drug smugglers might help slow down drug traffic. also stiffer sentences for anyone caught with illegal drugs, with no probation, rehab, or community service handed out by wimpy judges will curb demand on the u.s. side. when we finally get serious about illegal drug use in america. then it will stop almost overnight.