US Coast Guard Cutter Thetis nabs $70 million in illegal narcotics during 55-day patrol

Courtesy Photo | The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910) poses for a group photo on the flight deck with over 10,000 pounds of interdicted narcotics in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Sept. 8, 2023. Thetis' crew patrolled the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Western Caribbean Sea in support of the Coast Guard’s mission to combat illegal drug trafficking. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Lauren Daugherty)  

KEY WEST, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

09.19.2023

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

KEY WEST, Fla. – The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910) returned home to Key West, Friday, following a 55-day patrol in the Western Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Patrolling in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South, Thetis worked alongside other Coast Guard cutters and U.S. partners to conduct counterdrug operations and fight transnational criminal organizations with the assistance of an embarked aviation detachment from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron.

While underway, Thetis seized approximately $70 million worth of illegal narcotics over the course of two counterdrug operations. During one case, Thetis crew members apprehended three suspected drug traffickers. In another case, collaboration with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft led to the recovery of approximately 5,325 pounds of illegal narcotics by the Thetis’ pursuit team.

“These cases highlight the need for Coast Guard presence in these regions to combat the illegal trafficking of drugs and emphasizes the operational capabilities of our platform and crew,” said Cmdr. Gavin Garcia, the commanding officer of Thetis. “I am extremely proud of our crew’s dedication and operational achievements during this patrol.”

Thetis is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counterdrug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws as well as search and rescue.

Medium endurance cutters fall under the command of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Virginia. Coast Guard Atlantic Area oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. In addition to surge operations, Atlantic Area also allocates ships to deploy to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to combat transnational organized crime and illicit maritime activity.

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found at https://uscga.edu


-USCG-

• Date Taken: 09.19.2023
• Date Posted: 09.19.2023 15:54
• Story ID: 453793
• Location: KEY WEST, FLORIDA, US