Boston Coast Guard Cutter Seizes $10M in Cocaine, Marijuana

The Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returned home to Boston last week after a 59-day drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific.

The crew seized 440 pounds of cocaine and 1,500 pounds of marijuana in a mission aimed at disrupting transnational crime organizations The drugs were valued at over $10 million, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.

“We provided effective mission-critical assets in multiple cases and were able to stop illicit drugs from landing on U.S shores," said Cmdr. Thomas Rodzewicz. "As a crew, we came together to enjoy the holidays in a meaningful and memorable way while carrying out our duties. I am extremely proud of the crew’s performance during this challenging patrol.”

The Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, an advanced aerial interdiction unit with the Coast Guard, joined the Spencer crew to conduct the counter-drug operations. The crews worked with other law enforcement agencies and with armed services dedicated to preserving national security, Rodzewicz said.

Since departing Boston in December, the Spencer crew traveled over 11,000 miles and made two transits through the Panama Canal. Spencer is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter with a crew of 100 members.

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