A Coast Guard helicopter crew that helped curb international drug trafficking off Central America has returned to Port Angeles.
The helicopter’s five-man crew helped seize more than 1,800 pounds of cocaine and intercepted 170 illegal migrants headed to the United States during the 45-day deployment, Coast Guard officials said.
Helicopter 6520 returned to the Coast Guard station on Ediz Hook early Wednesday evening, piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Gene Bolduc and Lt. Mark Graboski with Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Heller.
Two other crew members — Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Freitas and Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Huggins — returned to the station separately.
The helicopter left Port Angeles in early January to assist the Seattle-based cutter Midgett, a 378-foot high-endurance boat used for maritime law enforcement.
Together, the cutter and helicopter monitored waters from Mexico to Costa Rica.
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