The Alameda-based Coast Guard crew that spent nearly four months working alongside other agencies, intercepting boats run by drug cartels has returned home.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returned to Alameda Wednesday after a long mission gathering more cocaine than any other Coast Guard crew in recent memory.
The Stratton has been on a 114-day drug patrol of the Pacific Ocean. During the course of the mission its crew seized 33 tons of cocaine worth more than $1 billion, according to the Coast Guard.
The drugs were seized in 23 different interceptions and dropped off at Naval Base San Diego earlier this week.
Two interceptions of self-propelled semi-submersible vessels in July yielded about a third of the seized cocaine, according to the Coast Guard.
In addition to the drug seizures, the Stratton crew took part in search-and-rescue missions, surveillance and community outreach.
The cutter pulled into port Wednesday morning where its crew was reunited with their families.
