x
Breaking News
More () »

Boston-based Coast Guard cutter seizes 5,000 pounds of cocaine

The cocaine's estimated street value was $65 million.
Credit: Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray
Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL-754) crewmembers move a pallet of interdicted cocaine across the deck of the cutter Nov. 15, 2018.

BOSTON (NEWS CENTER Maine) — A US Coast Guard crew homeported in Boston seized more than 2 tons of cocaine during an 80-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific, the agency announced Thursday.

Coast Guard Cutter Spencer and its crew of about 100 returned home to Boston on Monday.

During its patrol, the 270-foot cutter interdicted a smuggling vessel with 4,497 pounds of cocaine on board, which equates to a street value of about $65 million.

RELATED | Boston-based Coast Guard cutter seizes $61M in cocaine, marijuana

The Spencer's interdiction was one of 15 conducted by Coast Guard crews during the nearly three-month patrol, totaling 18.5 tons of cocaine in a final offload in Port Everglades, Florida.

Crew members also saved two sea turtles entangled in fishing nets — including a Hawksbill, which is listed as a critically endangered species — and saved a mariner off the coast of North Carolina.

Credit: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole Groll
A crew member from Coast Guard Cutter Spencer rescued two sea turtles from entangled fishing gear Monday, Sept. 30, 2018, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean during their 80-day patrol. One of the sea turtles rescued was an endangered Hawksbill sea turtle.

On its return home, the Spencer was diverted Saturday morning to assist with a search and rescue off Cape Hatteras. A 48-foot sailboat manned by a 57-year-old man was reportedly in distress.

Crew members were able to load the man aboard. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter hoisted him from the Spencer and took him to a hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

VIDEO | USCG cutter, helicopter medevac man from sailboat off NC

The Spencer's crew also assisted in recovery efforts for Hurricane Florence, the USCG said.

Before You Leave, Check This Out