US Cutter Thetis seizes $34.8 million worth of cocaine during Caribbean operation

The United States Coast Guard stated that the crew of the Cutter Thetis returned to their homeport on Friday in Key West at the end of a 62-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea, marking the successful conclusion of a 62-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea. During their time on the Caribbean seas, the US Coast Guards seized approximately 2,646 pounds of cocaine that had an estimated street value of $34.8 million and they detained 2 suspected narcotics traffickers.

Their mission focused on disrupting illegal narcotics trafficking, a critical effort to ensure regional security and prevent the flow of illicit drugs into the United States. The patrol, which was deployed in the last week of December 2023, concluded their mission with great success and left the Caribbean seas safer than when their objective was initiated.

Their methods of interdiction involved them collaborating with maritime patrol aircraft alongside other Coast Guard assets. The Coast Guards worked closely with the Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF – South).  The JIATF-South is a multinational task force focused on countering drug trafficking and other transnational threats in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

Reliance, another integral part of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, halted two drug-trafficking ventures, detaining six suspected traffickers and preventing nearly 4,000 pounds of cocaine and 5,400 pounds of marijuana, worth more than an estimated street value of $57 million from entering the United States.

The participating crew also included the Cutter Thetis, the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron and the USS Farragut. The crew of the Thetis conducted multiple law enforcement operations throughout the patrol, demonstrating their dedication and expertise in combating drug trafficking.

The collaboration with the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, USS Farragut, and other partner agencies played a crucial role in the success of the mission. The interdiction of a significant amount of narcotics disrupts the flow of illegal drugs into the United States and contributes to the safety and security of the region.

Chief Petty Officer AJ Gibson, the command chief of Thetis, had this to say “The cases we encountered on this patrol emphasise the importance of collaboration across departments and agencies in deterring the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States… I am extremely proud of the adaptability and determination displayed by our crew in successfully completing the mission”.

The Coast Guard also claimed that the crew of the Cutter Charles David, Jr repatriated 25 migrants to Cuba, The US Coast Guard said a well-intentioned unnamed civilian notified them of the suspected migrant voyage.