The crew of US Coast Guard cutter Escanaba offloaded more than 3,400 pounds of cocaine and 4,410 pounds of marijuana with a combined assessed street value of approximately $50m in port Everglades, on August 23.
These drugs were seized in collaboration with a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, and a Law Enforcement Detachment 107 from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific.
The Escanaba crew, alongside interagency and international partners, worked to interdict illicit narcotics in the international waters off South America in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Seven suspected smugglers were transferred to federal custody and face prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba is a 270-foot famous-class medium endurance cutter with a crew of 100 homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia.
“The Coast Guard’s presence in the Eastern Pacific is vital to our mission of disrupting the flow of illicit narcotics and safeguarding our nation’s security. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, through their unwavering professionalism and dedication, has once again demonstrated the critical role our people play in these complex operations,” said Vice Adm. Nathan Moore, commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
“By maintaining a strong presence in this region, we continue to protect our communities and uphold the highest standards of service. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba’s success is a direct reflection of our commitment to mission excellence and the core values that guide us,” Moore added.
“The counter narcotics mission continues to be a vital mission of the Coast Guard,” noted Cmdr. Jared Silverman, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba. “The crew of Escanaba, alongside our shipmates from HITRON and TACLET, executed the mission in outstanding fashion and ensured that the spirit of operational excellence lives on.”
