Charley L. Diaz

Captain Charley L. Diaz (born in 1959 in Corpus Christi, Texas[citation needed]) is a 30-year United States Coast Guard veteran who served on Active Duty from 1982 to 2012.

Diaz is best known for leading the crew of the USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720) in the seizure of the Panamanian freighter GATUN off the coast of Panama in March 2007, which netted nearly 20 tons of cocaine worth an estimated $600 million.

[citation needed]In 1982, Diaz graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, where he was captain of the cadet drill team.

[6] On March 18, 2007, Diaz led the crew of the USCGC Sherman in the seizure of the motor vessel GATUN with 765 bales of cocaine (nearly 20 tons) worth an estimated $600 million; it remains the largest maritime drug bust in U.S.

From March 2008 - May 2009, he also served as the first ever Chief of Staff (aka Executive Director) of the new U. S. Coast Guard Force Readiness Command for Rear Admiral Timothy S. Sullivan.

[Mass 3] In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Diaz helped identify the critical link between illegal heroin profits in Afghanistan and the al Qaeda terrorist network.

[14] Diaz was also instrumental in pushing legislation to create the new Department of Homeland Security and establish the U.S. Coast Guard as an official member of the U.S. Intelligence Community.