Jacksonville, FL — The crew of the Naval Station Mayport-based Coast Guard Cutter Valiant is now back home following a nine-week deployment, and that mission brought in some big results.
The Coast Guard says, while on patrol, the crew intercepted two suspected smuggling vessels, helped apprehend three suspected drug smugglers, and seized 2,718 pounds of cocaine, which is believed to be worth more than $41 million.
The nine-week deployment focused on the East Pacific, in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South. The Cutter’s Commanding Officer says the 51-year-old vessel had some engineering casualties during the deployment, but they were able to overcome those without missing any days in operation.