MIAMI – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk returned home Saturday to Key West following a three-month counter-drug patrol in the Pacific Ocean.
During the patrol the Mohawk’s crew interdicted 14 vessels that were smuggling illegal narcotics, detained 41 suspected smugglers for prosecution in U.S. Federal or partner-nation courts and seized approximately 12,000 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $390 million.
The Mohawk’s crew partnered with units from multiple U.S. agencies and allied nations to conduct counter drug operations in support of the Eleventh Coast Guard District and the Key West-based Joint Interagency Task Force South.
To extend operational range and increase mission effectiveness the Mohawk embarked MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron. On one occasion during the deployment the Mohawk interdicted four vessels in less than 36 hours.
The cooperative efforts of foreign military and law enforcement personnel and U.S. government inter-agency partners detect, disrupt and interdict illegal narcotics smuggling ventures in the Eastern Pacific. These activities support the rule of law in Central America and promote stability in the region.
After returning home, the crew will prepare Mohawk to return to sea in execution of all Coast Guard missions.
Mohawk is the 13th and last of the 270-foot Famous class cutters. Since its commissioning in March 1991, the cutter serves the nation in a wide variety of Coast Guard missions including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, alien migrant interdiction operations, defense readiness, and homeland security operations.