The guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59), along with U.S. Coast Guard personnel, intercepted 598 kg of cocaine, worth an estimated $14.7 million, and detained three members of a suspected narcotic-trafficking vessel, in the Eastern Pacific, June 21.

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.

After Kauffman's embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) boarded the vessel, they discovered several bales of illicit cargo, which they identified as cocaine. Three crew members from the vessel were then taken into custody, along with the illicit cargo, and brought back to Kauffman.

"This, our last drug bust in the Eastern Pacific before we start our trek home to Norfolk, was a very special interdiction for Team Kauffman," said Cmdr. Michael Concannon, commanding officer, USS Kauffman. "This interdiction raised our deployment interdiction total to 8,499 kilograms, 499 more than our 8,000 kilogram goal. This was a true team effort. One made easier by months of successful operations by this group of consummate professionals."

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 handled 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.

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