PORT ANGELES — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active (WMEC 618) and its crew returned to Port Angeles Friday after a 54-day mission supporting a Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S) counternarcotics effort in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

During the patrol, Active’s crew seized 3,858 pounds of cocaine valued at $50.8 million. They also thwarted two other smuggling attempts while being the sole U.S. surface asset in the region for 28 days, covering over 12,000 nautical miles.

Cmdr. Adam Disque, Active’s commanding officer, praised the crew’s efforts, highlighting the challenging nature of sea interdictions. The cutter also performed a successful search and rescue operation, saving a sailor adrift after his boat was damaged by whales.

Supplemented by an MH-65E helicopter from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) and law enforcement teams, Active combats organized crime in the Western Hemisphere.

Homeported in Port Angeles, Active takes part in various operations, including search and rescue, counter-narcotics, and homeland defense.