The Coast Guardsman who beat on the hatch of a moving drug-smuggling submarine in a video that went viral this month will be given an award for his actions, according to the Coast Guard.
“We will definitely recognize that person” for his “tremendous feat of bravery,” Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Jason Vanderhaven said, Military.com reported Thursday.
The Coast Guardsman has yet to be identified publicly. Vanderhaven was speaking at a Pentagon press conference during which various topics were discussed.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro crew members in June interdicted a suspected drug-smuggling self-propelled, semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel.
One of the Coast Guardsmen jumped onto the moving vessel and banged on the hatch so whomever was inside would open up.
Watch the action here:
The incident took place on June 17 in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
“Purpose-build smuggling vessels like SPSSs [self-propelled, semi-submersibles] are designed to hold large quantities of contraband while evading detection by law enforcement authorities,” the Coast Guard said.
President Trump recently tweeted about the video, saying, “Do you believe this kind of bravery? Amazing drug seizure. WATCH!”
Do you believe this kind of bravery? Amazing drug seizure. WATCH! https://t.co/M1KKBFic4A
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2019
The Munro returned from a three-month deployment, during which it made 14 drug seizures totaling 39,000 pounds of cocaine and 933 pounds of marijuana, with a combined worth of $569 million, according to the Coast Guard.
From the sub depicted in the video, the Munro seized 16,000 pounds of cocaine alone – its biggest single bust in the three-month period.
Vice President Mike Pence recently welcomed the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, Calif., where it offloaded the seized drugs.
Pence said at the time that the efforts “will lead to the prosecution of 55 alleged smugglers,” adding, “That is a remarkable record of success.”
