By Tiffany Williams –
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) returned to their home port in Newport, Rhode Island, after completing a 63-day multi-mission patrol in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean. Their primary objective was to support the Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF-S) in interdicting illegal narcotics within known drug trafficking zones.
During the deployment, the Campbell crew successfully interdicted a drug smuggling operation involving six panga boats, leading to the seizure of approximately 8,061 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $91 million, and the detention of two suspected traffickers.
In addition to their anti-drug efforts, the crew also provided care for two search and rescue survivors and took custody of 49 suspected drug smugglers involved in illicit activities at sea.
The narcotics seized were offloaded at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where 26 suspected smugglers were transferred to federal authorities for prosecution. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Campbell’s crew collaborated with other Coast Guard cutters to transfer a total of 87 suspected smugglers following 24 interdictions.
Throughout their patrol, the crew of Campbell worked alongside various Coast Guard assets, including a law enforcement detachment from the Tactical Law Enforcement Team – South and other cutters, to enhance their operational effectiveness against drug trafficking. Prior to returning home, the crew also conducted helicopter landing qualifications and provided hands-on training to nearly sixty personnel from other Coast Guard cutters, contributing to overall mission readiness.
JIATF-S, in collaboration with partner nations, aims to detect and monitor illicit drug trafficking, apprehending traffickers to weaken transnational criminal organizations and decrease the drug supply to the public. The U.S. Coast Guard leads the law enforcement phase of these operations under the authority of the Eleventh District, ensuring the safety and security of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.