Escanaba’s crew disrupted illegal narcotics smuggling, interdicting 3,520 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than $102 million, which were offloaded in Port Everglades, Florida.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba photo.
PORTSMOUTH, Va.– The USCGC Escanaba and a HITRON detachment returned home with 3,5 tons interdicted in cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The crew of the Cutter returned home to Portsmouth after 51-day patrol. Monday, November 20, 2023.
Patrolling in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, Escanaba worked alongside other Coast Guard Cutters, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security units, and several international partners to conduct counter-drug operations.
Escanaba’s crew disrupted illegal narcotics smuggling, interdicting 3,520 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than $102 million, which were offloaded in Port Everglades, Florida. While in theater, Escanaba worked to detect and interdict drug-smuggling vessels and suspected traffickers. Escanaba’s crew directly contributed to Coast Guard objectives to combat transnational criminal organizations and enhance regional stability and security.
Escanaba’s operations were augmented by a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65 Dolphin aircrew, which delivered air support for the use of force, and a tactical law enforcement detachment, which supplied skilled boarding personnel for mission strategy and strengthened law enforcement activities.
A helicopter tie-down crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) approaches an MH-65 helicopter from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) during a patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 16, 2023.
Escanaba’s crew disrupted illegal narcotics smuggling, interdicting 3,520 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than $102 million, which were offloaded in Port Everglades, Florida.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba photo.
“The Escanaba hasn’t patrolled the Eastern Pacific for nearly a year, so this is the first counterdrug experience for many in the crew,” said Cmdr. Jared Silverman, the commanding officer of Escanaba. “I am beyond impressed with their ability to perform in less-than-ideal weather and circumstances. Beyond our operational success, the crew was able to build life-long bonds through once-in-a-lifetime experiences like transiting through the Panama Canal, to having fish calls in the Eastern Pacific. I’m glad that we could make these memories while accomplishing the mission as a unified crew.»
USCGC Escanaba is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counterdrug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
–USCG–
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The offloaded drugs were interdicted during four separate cases in the international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean by the crews of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, Escanaba, a U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) aircrew, a Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and federal and international partners.
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District photo.
