Latest news with #CarlosSardiello
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
US Navy warship on first deployment makes two drug busts in 72 hours
Two alleged drug smuggling operations were brought to a swift halt this month by the Freedom-class littoral combat ship Minneapolis-Saint Paul within a 72-hour span, resulting in the seizure of an estimated $12 million in illicit drugs during the ship's maiden deployment. The ship set sail on March 26 from its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida, and steamed for the Caribbean Sea and the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Just weeks into the deployment, the crew intercepted 580 kilograms of cocaine and 2,480 pounds of marijuana through combined air-surface operations. 'We train diligently and stand ready to execute interdiction missions at moment's notice,' Cmdr. Steven Fresse, commanding officer of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, said in a release. 'To be able to make an immediate impact so early on during our maiden deployment is a testament to the hard work and skills of the ship's crew.' As an LCS, the vessel, which deployed in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, is designed for speed and operating in near-shore environments. The ship is currently assigned to Commander, Task Force 45, the surface task force of 4th Fleet responsible for carrying out combined operations, strengthening partnerships with Latin American and Caribbean nations and supporting law enforcement in counter-drug trafficking operations. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul's crew includes an embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment plus the 'Valkyries' of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 50 Detachment 3. The U.S. Navy regularly partners with LEDET teams to prevent illegal drugs from reaching the United States through maritime routes. Drug interdictions in the Caribbean are executed by the Coast Guard under the authority of the Seventh Coast Guard District based in Miami. 'The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul executed their duties seamlessly in the combined effort to protect the homeland from illicit maritime trafficking,' Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, said in the release. 'Working in coordination with the Coast Guard and our joint partners, we look forward to seeing continued measurable impact delivered by the professional and talented crew of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul across the region.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
USS Minneapolis-St. Paul makes several drug busts in Caribbean Sea
The Brief The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul made multiple alleged drug busts in the Caribbean Sea within a 72-hour span. Almost 1,500 pounds of cocaine, worth nearly $10 million, were confiscated during the bust. About 2,500 pounds of marijuana, worth almost $3 million, were also confiscated. CARIBBEAN SEA (FOX 9) - The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul stopped two drug smuggling operations within a 72-hour span in the Caribbean Sea. What we know According to the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul made two alleged drug busts in the Caribbean Sea, both within 72 hours. The vessels smuggling the drugs were taken out by a combination of air and surface operations, officials said. By the numbers In the busts, 1,278.9 pounds of cocaine, worth $9,463,860, and 2,480 pounds of marijuana, worth $2,807,360, were confiscated. What they're saying This was the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul was on her maiden deployment during the busts. "We train diligently and stand ready to execute interdiction missions at moment's notice, said Minneapolis-Saint Paul commanding officer Cmdr. Steven Fresse, "To be able to make an immediate impact so early on during our maiden deployment is a testament to the hard work and skills of the ship's crew." "The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul executed their duties seamlessly in the combined effort to protect the homeland from illicit maritime trafficking." said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. "Working in coordination with the Coast Guard and our joint partners, we look forward to seeing continued measurable impact delivered by the professional and talented crew of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul across the region." The Source This report was written from a press release from the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
On maiden deployment, USS Minneapolis-St. Paul stops two drug smuggling operations in Caribbean
The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, the state's namesake ship serving the U.S. Navy, was instrumental in recently stopping two drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean within 72 hours of one another during its maiden deployment, officials said. The drug busts resulted in the confiscation of 1,200 pounds of cocaine (worth an estimated $9.5 million) and 2,400 pounds of marijuana (worth an estimated $2.8 million), according to a Navy press release. The so-called littoral combat ship worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to take out the drug smuggling vessels through a combination of air and surface operations. 'The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul executed their duties seamlessly in the combined effort to protect the homeland from illicit maritime trafficking,' said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. 'We train diligently and stand ready to execute interdiction missions at moment's notice,' said Minneapolis-St. Paul commanding officer Cmdr. Steven Fresse. 'To be able to make an immediate impact so early on during our maiden deployment is a testament to the hard work and skills of the ship's crew.' The new ship's homeport is in Mayport, Fla., near Jacksonville. Minneapolis man accused of threatening to kill member of Congress Teen shooter gets 23-year prison sentence for daytime 'chilling execution' outside St. Paul tobacco shop Four guns found in and near St. Paul high schools in a week's span Idaho police release body camera video of nonverbal and autistic teen's fatal shooting Shooting rampage at Florida State that left 2 dead lasted less than 5 minutes, police say
