By Karen Robes Meeks
After the completion of a 75-day counterdrug patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton crew reported that it intercepted 11 drug smuggling ships, seized more than 18,500 pounds of cocaine and heroin worth $350 million, and held more than 40 suspected smugglers.
“Each crew member contributed to the collective success of Stratton's patrol,” said Capt. Craig Wieschhorster, the commanding officer of the Stratton. “This was a complete team effort that takes an all hands on deck commitment. Stopping illicit movements at sea, where the Coast Guard has the tactical advantage, starves criminal organizations of a revenue stream, promotes stability in Central American countries and eases migration pressures on our U.S. Southwest border. Border security starts at sea. Stopping suspected smugglers and bringing them to justice in U.S. courts allows the collective interagency effort to break these criminal networks.”
