SAN DIEGO – The Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET) was presented with the United States Interdiction Coordinator (USIC) Award for superior performance in the surface interdiction of illicit drugs during the 2009 fiscal year on August 19, 2010 at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Tactical Law Enforcement Teams provide specialized Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) to conduct counter-narcotics law enforcement and maritime interdiction operations from U.S. and allied naval vessels.
Patrick M. Ward, acting deputy director for supply reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, delivered the award during an all-hands ceremony.
“It was an honor to host Mr. Ward, the U.S. Interdiction Coordinator here today,” said Cmdr. Jon Totte, PACTACLET Commanding Officer. “This award represents the significant time, training and expertise that Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Teams dedicate to Combatant Commanders in the execution of the counter-drug mission.”
Following his remarks, Ward presented U.S Interdiction Coordinator coins to 10 PACTACLET members who were instrumental in the counter-narcotics successes.
“PACTACLET continues to excel in maritime law enforcement and drug interdiction operations”, said Capt. Gail Kulisch, Commander of the Deployable Operations Group, who was on hand to personally congratulate the team and acknowledge their remarkable performance. “Their leadership throughout the entire Deployable Operations Group community has raised the bar for all of our Deployable Specialized Forces.”
In 2009, PACTACLET prevented more than 64 tons of cocaine from reaching America’s shores, detained 132 suspected smugglers, leading to 240 years of incarceration for the convicted smugglers. They also rescued 12 stranded fishermen.
After the passage of the Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act (DTVIA) of 2008, deployed PACTACLET LEDETs developed new strategies to best interdictt Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) vessels and enforce the new law. Their efforts resulted in the interdiction of seven SPSS vessels operating in the Eastern Pacific.
PACTACLET LEDETs deployed an average of 180 days on 15 U.S. and Allied naval vessels. Supported by these vessels, the LEDETs investigated 200 surface targets of interest, conducted 43 counter-drug boardings and 193
high-risk security boardings in the territorial waters of Iraq.
PACTACLET is a component of the Deployable Operations Group (DOG). The DOG provides properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSFs) to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and interagency operational and tactical commanders.
