Politics & Government

Frigate That Seized Tons of Cocaine During Deployment to Return Home

On its 6-month deployment, the USS Gary helped seize 12,000 pounds of cocaine.

A U.S. Navy frigate whose crew seized more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine while operating off Central and South America during a six-month deployment is scheduled to return to its homeport Friday.

USS Gary sailors and an onboard U.S. Coast Guard detachment made the seizures–the confiscated drugs had an estimated street value of $388 million–in nine separate operations, according to the Navy.  

Ten suspects were arrested, and four alleged drug trafficking vessels were sunk during the deployment, Navy officials said.

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“I am incredibly proud of the performance of the crew of USS Gary ...,” said Cmdr. James Brown, the Gary's skipper.

He cited “the professionalism and dedication of everyone on board” including a  helicopter unit, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49, Detachment 3, and three U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachments. 

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The sailors also helped clean and paint schools in Golfito, Costa Rica, and Panama City during the deployment,.

The USS Gary, stationed at Naval Base San Diego, is named after the late Cmdr. Donald Gary, who was an engineering officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin when it was hit by a bomb during a Japanese air strike on March 19, 1945.

Gary, who helped rescue several hundred men below deck, was awarded the Medal of Honor.

 

– City News Service


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