Cutter Active Seizes $87 Million

By Karen Robes Meeks

The US Coast Guard Cutter Active returned home to Port Angeles, Washington, on Friday, October 12 following a 50-day counter-drug enforcement assignment in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During that period, the 75-crew members intercepted three suspected smuggling ships, stopping the flow of 5,794 pounds of drugs valued at more than $87 million.

Active was supported by an Air Station Port Angeles aircrew and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter for most of the patrol while two members of the Chilean Navy were aboard for the deployment.

The 210-foot Cutter Active, which operate under the tactical Coast Guard District Eleven’s control, supports the Joint Interagency Task Force-South. It handles nine of the Coast Guard’s 11 statutory missions, which include search and rescue, drug interdiction, fisheries enforcement and homeland security.