The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dependable returned home on May 4, after a two-month patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
During this patrol, the crew seized over 8,000 pounds (3,628 kg) of cocaine with an estimated value of $122 million which will be used as evidence to prosecute 19 suspected smugglers.
In four separate cases, the crew of Dependable pursued and interdicted five vessels suspected of smuggling illicit narcotics; including several high speed pursuits of go-fast vessels specially fitted to smuggle contraband.
Virginia Beach-based Dependable is a 210-foot Reliance class medium endurance cutter with a crew complement of 75. They conduct homeland security missions in the offshore waters of the Western Hemisphere from New England to the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.
Nearing its 50th year serving America, Dependable and the other 26 aging medium endurance Coast Guard cutters are slated for replacement by new Offshore Patrol Cutters in 2021.