NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — A Newport-based U.S. Coast Guard crew seized more than 8,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $91 million, during a 63-day patrol in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returned home Monday after targeting known drug trafficking zones, where they intercepted six panga boats suspected of smuggling narcotics. They also arrested two people suspected of drug trafficking.
Campbell is a 270-foot, Famous-class cutter focused on counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, and search-and-rescue missions, according to the Coast Guard.
Throughout the mission, the crew also assisted in a search-and-rescue operation and maintained custody of dozens of suspected drug smugglers.
The seized drugs were offloaded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 27, and 26 suspects were handed over to federal authorities for prosecution, the Coast Guard said.
“We overcame many obstacles to stand vigilant watches away from our loved ones during the holiday season and worked tirelessly to prevent transnational criminal organizations from harming our communities by seizing tons of narcotics that will no longer cross our maritime borders,” Commander Jonathan Harris said. “More importantly, we contributed to the cycle of justice by ensuring dozens of suspected drug traffickers will stand trial in the United States.”
