With the U.S. Coast Guard, the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) interdicted 528 kg of cocaine, worth an estimated wholesale value of approximately $176-million, and detained four crew members of a suspected narcotic-trafficking vessel in international waters of the Eastern Pacific, June 17.

The suspected smuggling vessel was spotted during a routine patrol of Eastern Pacific international waters in support of Operation Martillo by Kauffman's embarked SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squadron (HSL) 60. Kauffman's embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) then boarded the vessel.

Once onboard, the LEDET discovered several bales of illicit cargo and identified them as cocaine. They then took custody of the three crew members and the illicit cargo and brought them back to Kauffman.

"Even as our deployment is drawing to a close, our Sailors and Coast Guardsmen on board are more determined than ever to finish strong," said Cmdr. Michael Concannon, commanding officer of USS Kauffman. "We are out working every day to keep these drugs off the streets of America, and that is not lost on this crew. They know they are making a difference back home, and are extremely proud of that fact."

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman is currently deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Martillo.

Operation Martillo, a joint, international law enforcement and military operation involving the U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner nations, targets illicit trafficking routes in the waters off Central America.

Overall coordination of counter-drug patrols and surveillance in the Eastern Pacific is done by Joint Interagency Task Force South headquartered in Key West, Florida. U.S. maritime law enforcement and the interdiction phase of operations in the region occur under the tactical control of the Coast Guard 11th District headquartered in Alameda, California.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet support USSOUTHCOM's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.