Coast Guard Cutter Returns To NJ After Rescuing 42 Migrants, Seizing $800K In Cocaine
CAPE MAY, N.J. (AP) — A Coast Guard cutter that recovered $800,000 worth of cocaine and rescued 42 migrants in the Caribbean Sea during a tour of duty is returning to New Jersey.
The Coast Guard says the Dependable is expected to return to Cape May Friday morning after a 60-day deployment.
They were recovered after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft detected a ship without navigation lights. As the cutter approached smugglers began dumping packages into the water. The crew then fired warning shots to stop the vessel and recovered 71 pounds in drugs.
The crew also rescued 42 migrants attempting voyages in overloaded vessels and gave medical care to more than 200 others before returning them to their country of origin.
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