Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: March 15, 2007
Contact: Public Affairs
(206) 220-7237 

Midgett Stops Smuggling Operation, Returns From Six Month Middle East Patrol

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, that is returning to its Seattle homeport tomorrow from a six month deployment to the Middle East as part of the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, stopped a smuggling operation in the Caribbean Sea and recovered an estimated quarter million dollars in U.S. currency on it's way home.

The 378-foot cutter left Seattle in September 2006 and completed extensive anti-piracy, maritime security and interdiction operations in the Middle East with coalition forces.  Midgett then embarked on a global circumnavigation to return to Seattle. 

As Midgett was making its way toward the Panama Canal, a lookout spotted a small boat, called a "go-fast," traveling at a high rate of speed.  The crew of the cutter immediately sprang into action and moved toward the go-fast at flank speed, manning their weapons and law enforcement stations.  "I couldn't wait to get into the small boat to chase the go-fast.  I didn't know what was going to happen next, but I was ready for it," said Petty Officer 1st Class Cortney Corino, a machinery technician aboard.

As Midgett gave pursuit, the eight people on board the go-fast began to jettison its cargo before stopping with their hands in the air. The cutter immediately moved alongside covering the suspects, simultaneously launching their small boats to search the go-fast and recover the jettisoned cargo which turned out to be bricks of $100 and $50 bills wrapped in plastic.  

Capt. Lee Alexander, Midgett's Commanding Officer said, "This is another example of the Coast Guard's readiness to conduct its mission for America anywhere in the world at any time." 

Midgett is scheduled to return to its homeport of Pier 36 in Seattle tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.  Media interested in embarking Midgett on the last few hours of its deploymnent or to arrange interviews should contact Public Affairs at (220) 206-7237.

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