CG CAMPBELL

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Campbell returned home after interdicting $91M in illicit narcotics during Eastern Pacific Ocean patrol

The 'Campbell (WMEC 909)' has returned to its home port in Newport on Feb 4, 2025, following a 63-day multi-mission patrol to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean. The cutter was deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF-S) to advance the primary mission of interdicting illegal narcotics in known drug trafficking zones. Its crew conducted maritime safety and security missions while working to detect, deter and intercept drug-smuggling vessels. While on patrol, the 'Campbell' interdicted a suspected drug-smuggling operations, involving six panga boats engaged in illicit activity on the high seas. During the pursuit, the 'Campbell’s crew seized approximately 8,061 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated street value of more than $91 million and detained two suspected drug traffickers. The 'Campbell embarked and provided care for two SAR survivors and maintained custody of a total of 49 suspected drug smugglers suspected of engaging in illicit trafficking activities at sea. The crew of the 'Campbell' offloaded the drugs at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan 27 and transferred 26 suspected drug smugglers to authorities, who were now facing federal prosecution by the Department of Justice. Between January 2024 and February 2025, the 'Campbell' transferred a total of 87 suspected smugglers to federal law enforcement authorities, resulting from 24 interdictions by U. S. Coast Guard cutters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. During the patrol, the 'Campbell’partnered with numerous additional Coast Guard assets during the deployment by hosting a law enforcement detachment from the Opa Locka, Florida-based Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team – South, and conducted joint patrols and at-sea transfers with Coast Guard Cutters 'Waesche (WMSL 751)', ' James (WMSL 754)' and 'Stone (WMSL 758)'. These units also leveraged international and interagency partners to ensure that U.S. Coast Guard presence resulted in both the interdiction and deterrence of illicit trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. Prior to returning to Newport, the 'Campbell' conducted three days of helicopter to deck landing qualifications at sea with multiple aircrews from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron based out of Jacksonville, Florida. Campbell also embarked nearly 60 personnel from other Coast Guard cutters for hands-on shipboard-helicopter operations training in order to improve mission readiness across the cutter fleet. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4055086/coast-guard-cutter-campbell-returns-home-after-interdicting-91m-in-illicit-narc/