US Coast Guard Cutter Bear returned to its homeport in Portsmouth, Virginia Friday following a two-month long patrol in the Western Caribbean Sea.
During their patrol, Bear’s crew coordinated with multiple countries in Central and South America, along with partner agencies to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
The unified effort resulted in the interdiction of multiple suspected drug smugglers and vessels transporting approximately 3,519 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated value of $116 million.
“These large interdictions at sea are an effective way to combat transnational criminal organizations and reduce the amount of cocaine on the streets of America,” said Cmdr. Andrew D. Meverden, commanding officer of the Bear.
In addition to its seizures, the crew of the Bear saved two Nicaraguan fishermen that were stranded at sea for over two weeks.
The Bear’s interdictions were a part of Operation Martillo, which is an international effort to counter illicit trafficking in the Caribbean Sea.
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