A Maine-based Coast Guard cutter returned to Kittery Friday after seizing 12,000 pounds of cocaine and rescuing three sea turtles during an 80-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
The crew of the cutter Campbell disrupted six narcotic smuggling ventures, detained 24 suspected smugglers and seized the cocaine, which was valued at $209 million, according to the Coast Guard. The crew was also able to help three sea turtles that were found entangled in loose fishing gear.
The cutter, equipped with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, patrolled known narcotic transit zones in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central and South America. The patrol was in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, which focuses on disrupting and dismantling illicit threats.
“During this challenging deployment, the crew excelled in all assigned missions and should be exceptionally proud of their accomplishments,” said cutter Cmdr. Mark McDonnell in a prepared statement. “Our efforts to integrate with partner agencies and nations are key to the safe and successful execution of these complex interdiction operations as we work together to remove cocaine bound for the United States and help dismantle criminal networks.”
The Campbell is a 29-year-old Famous-Class cutter with a crew of 100.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.