One of the oldest vessels still on active duty with the US Coast Guard has successfully seized nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of US$18.7 million in international waters of the Pacific Ocean off Central America, the service said in a statement on Monday, June 1.
The 64-metre Reliance-class medium endurance cutter Confidence was diverted to intercept a suspected smuggling vessel after the latter was spotted by a maritime patrol aircraft.
Once on scene, Confidence's crew initiated a pursuit of the suspected smugglers who began throwing contraband overboard. Once the suspects complied with orders to stop their boat, the coast guard crew boarded the vessel and discovered approximately 495 kilograms of cocaine.
Three suspected smugglers aboard the vessel were subsequently detained.
Originally commissioned into service in 1966, Confidence is currently homeported at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
