U.S. Coast Guard cutter returns to San Pedro with $38.5 million in seized cocaine

U.S. Coast Guard cutter returns to San Pedro with $38.5 million in seized cocaine

by Nathaniel Percy

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward returned Thursday morning to San Pedro after a 50-day mission that included the seizure of 3,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at $38.5 million, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The mission was the first for the Robert Ward, which was commissioned about six months ago, Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Kroll said. Most of the haul was seized in mid-July in the cutter’s first-ever drug bust.

The Robert Ward is one of four fast-response cutters stationed in San Pedro. Crews on the cutters patrol the Pacific Ocean off of the coasts of Central and South America to combat smugglers trying to bring illegal drugs into the United States.

The cutter arrived just after 8 a.m., with crew members poised to depart to greet waiting family members.

A press conference is scheduled, when more details about the mission will be disclosed.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

All credit goes to Nathaniel Percy Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com