Portsmouth Shipyard Boat Makes $209M Cocaine Bust

KITTERY, ME — A Coast Guard crew based at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard made a massive cocaine bust — seizing 12,000 pounds of the drug and arresting 24 smugglers, authorities announced Friday. The crew of the cutter Campbell seized the drugs during a patrol off the coasts of Central America and South America in the South Pacific Ocean, officials said. The value of the drugs was estimated at $209 million.

The Coast Guard said the drugs belonged to criminals running six drug-smuggling operations.

“Our efforts to integrate with partner agencies and nations are key to the safe and successful execution of these complex interdiction operations as we work together to remove cocaine bound for the United States and help dismantle criminal networks," Campbell Commander Mark McDonnell said in a statement. "The crew excelled in all assigned missions and should be exceptionally proud of their accomplishments."

The crew worked with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew based in Jacksonville, Florida, during the drug busts over an 80-day period, officials said.

The Campbell, with a crew of 100, returned to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, Friday.

Photo: The crew of the Coast Guard ship Campbell poses with drugs seized off the coasts of Central America and South America in June 2018. (Credit: Coast Guard)