Insitu Expands Support of USCG Counter-narcotics Operations

BINGEN, Wash., June 9, 2020 – Building on a 2018 contract award to provide ISR services onboard the entire US Coast Guard National Security Cutter fleet, Insitu was proud today of its role in the Coast Guard Cutter JAMES (WMSL-754) crew’s offload of an estimated $408 million in illegal narcotics in Port Everglades. The 75-day patrol involved joint counter-narcotics operations between USCG and SOUTHCOM marked ScanEagle’s second deployment with the ship and the latest phase of the accelerated plan to install on board the entire NSC fleet by the end of 2020.

The drugs were interdicted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, and in the Caribbean Sea including contraband seized and recovered during 11 interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels by four Coast Guard cutters and two U.S. Navy ships

On April 1, U.S. Southern Command began enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere to disrupt the flow of drugs in support of Presidential National Security Objectives. Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, play a role in counter-drug operations.

Insitu ScanEagle has been deployed with US Coast Guard since 2017 supporting vital counter-narcotics effort with critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. To date, the system has played an integral role in preventing nearly $4 billion in illegal drugs reaching US shores.

Media Contacts

Jenny Beloy
Insitu Media Relations
+1 509.637.6196
jennifer.beloy@insitu.com