Diligence crew stopped drug smugglers while on patrol

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Diligence returned to Wilmington Tuesday following a 62-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific.

The crew performed a wide range of Coast Guard missions during the patrol, from public affairs in Philadelphia to drug interdiction operations stretching from Mexico to Panama.

According to a news release, law enforcement personnel from Diligence interdicted three high-speed vessels smuggling narcotics and forced one vessel to jettison its contraband before fleeing. Overall, Diligence prevented nearly 2,500 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $60 million from making it to the U.S.

When not conducting law enforcement activities, Diligence focused on crew training in damage control, boat operations, engineering casualty control and ship handling to help many new crewmembers complete their required shipboard qualifications.

The Diligence also provide public outreach in Philadelphia. The Independence Seaport Museum has a full-scale waterline model of Schooner Diligence, circa 1797. The model was completed earlier this year and is currently on display in the Patriots & Pirates exhibit. The arrival of Diligence provided an example of service history, and crewmembers gave tours of the ship to approximately 250 people over the weekend.

Diligence crew pose aboard a replica of the schooner Diligence in Philadelphia on December 10, 2016 (Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Johnson/USCG)

“We’re very proud to have been part of the efforts to combat the flow of illegal drugs to our nation,” said Diligence commanding officer Justin Carter.  “It was an exciting patrol, and our crew performed exceptionally during every opportunity to we had to pursue and interdict smugglers at sea, and throughout a deployment that had great challenges. We are thankful to be home and with our families after a great deployment!”