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	USS Zephyr conducts counternarcotics operations
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        <h1 class="title">USS Zephyr conducts counternarcotics operations</h1>
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                 alt="Stacks of seized cocaine sit on the deck of USS Zephyr."
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            <div class="image-title">USS Zephyr Conducts Counternarcotics Operations</div>
            <div class="image-caption">CARIBBEAN SEA (Oct. 29, 2017) Personnel assigned to the Cyclone-class patrol coastal USS Zephyr (PC 8) intercepted a small boat carrying 35 bales, approximately 700-1050 kg of cocaine while on a routine patrol in the Caribbean sea. The street value of the seized narcotics is approximately $17-26 million. Zephyr is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Martillo. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Hendricks/Released)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Nov/13/2001841594/1920/1080/0/171029-N-PQ607-002.JPG"
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                 alt="Sailors stack bales of seized cocaine aboard USS Zephyr."
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            <div class="image-title">USS Zephyr Conducts Counternarcotics Operations</div>
            <div class="image-caption">CARIBBEAN SEA (Oct. 29, 2017)  Personnel assigned to the Cyclone-class patrol coastal USS Zephyr (PC 8) intercepted a small boat carrying 35 bales, approximately 700-1050 kg of cocaine while on a routine patrol in the Caribbean sea. The street value of the seized narcotics is approximately $17-26 million. Zephyr is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Martillo. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Hendricks/Released)</div>
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    <div><b>By U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. Fourth Fleet Public Affairs </b> <span class="date">/ Published Nov. 13, 2017</span></div>
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    <p>CARIBBEAN SEA (NNS) -- Coastal patrol ship USS Zephyr (PC 8) intercepted a small boat carrying 35 bales, approximately 700-1,050 kg, of cocaine, while on patrol in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 29.</p>
<p>Zephyr and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) law enforcement detachment (LEDET) were conducting routine counter-illicit trafficking operations when a "go-fast" boat was identified as a possible drug smuggler.</p>
<p>Zephyr approached the vessel, allowing the LEDET to utilize an over-the-horizon (OTH) rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to quickly board and gain control of the vessel. A search of the vessel revealed 17 bales, which all tested positive for cocaine. 18 additional bales that were spotted by Zephyr Sailors were retrieved from the water near where the go-fast vessel was stopped.</p>
<p>This seizure represents approximately $17-26 million worth of cocaine.</p>
<p>Three males aboard the go-fast were taken into custody and are awaiting transfer to the USCG.</p>
<p>U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet support United States Southern Command's (USSOUTHCOM) 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.</p>
<p>For more information, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f/Pages/USNAVSO_4th%20Fleet.aspx, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4thflt, or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/navsous4thflt.</p>
<p>For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.</p>
<p>For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cusns/. </p><br />
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