After 69 days in the Eastern Pacific Ocean providing anti-narcotics enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Steadfast has returned to its homeport in Astoria, Oregon, it was announced March 16.
During the patrol, crew members of the 210-foot medium endurance cutter interrupted drug activity in three instances, preventing the flow of over 7,500 pounds of cocaine worth $85.6 million from reaching the U.S., the Coast Guard said.
In one instance, the crew traced a suspected narcotics-smuggling ship with help from a Mexican Navy surveillance aircraft and aircrew and sent a boat crew and helicopter aircrew while Mexican forces tracked it, according to the agency.
The team up resulted in the seizure of 3,300 pounds of cocaine worth about $37.5 million, the Coast Guard said.
“The successful coordination between a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and Mexican MPA (maritime patrol aircraft) was a significant step in advancing our strategic partnerships in combating the flow of illicit narcotics in (the) Eastern Pacific,” Steadfast Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brock S. Eckel said.
