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Cutter Legare returns after two months at sea

Posted at 11:51 PM, Apr 19, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-19 23:51:46-04

The crew of the Cutter Legare pulled into Portsmouth Saturday afternoon after almost two months patrolling the Caribbean Sea.

The crew seized 3,300 kilos of cocaine worth an estimated $110 million after drug smugglers were intercepted in two separate cases.

”It's fantastic actually doing the mission and accomplishing what we're down there to do,” a crew member said.

It's a vital mission for the Coast Guard. More than 80 percent of cocaine brought into the United States is transported over the water.

Over the past five years the Coast Guard has seized nearly one million pounds of cocaine.

During these latest operations the Cutter's commander says the crew sometimes worked for 18 to 36 hours straight.

”It's just a constant effort for that long period of time and the crew was extremely motivated, dedicated to our mission down there it was great to see them working that hard and getting the job done,” Kevin King, Commanding Officer, said.

With the mission accomplished they can get back to their families who anxiously awaited their arrival in Portsmouth.