Coast Guard, partner agencies participate in joint law enforcement operation

Petty Officer 1st Class Devon Waite, a member of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), and canine Bingo conduct a vehicle sweep aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry vessel Tustumena in Kodiak, Alaska, June 27, 2018. The Coast Guard conducted this law enforcement operation in efforts to detect and deter illegal activity on Alaska's waterways. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Lauren Dean.

Petty Officer 1st Class Devon Waite, a member of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), and canine Bingo conduct a vehicle sweep aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry vessel Tustumena in Kodiak, Alaska, June 27, 2018.  U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Lauren Dean.

JUNEAU, Alaska – Law enforcement authorities from the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Investigative Service, Alaska State Troopers and local police departments participated in a joint law enforcement operation to detect and deter illegal activity on Alaska Marine Highway System and inter-island ferries, June 24 thru July 2.

Canine teams from Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco (91105), MSST Seattle (91101), MSST Los Angeles/Long Beach (91103), Maritime Security Response Team – West and the Alaska State Troopers conducted sweeps of the ferry system.

The operation took place randomly at AMHS ferry terminals in Bellingham, Washington; Ketchikan and Kodiak over the course of the week.

During the course of the operation, authorities assessed 1,577 passengers, 418 crew members, and 549 vehicles. Multiple pieces of contraband were confiscated including 56 grams of heroin, one ounce of methamphetamines, one firearm, nearly two pounds of non-commercial marijuana, alterants an individual could use to taint urinalysis testing, and illegal prescription drugs.

“No matter what the amount of contraband we collect, the biggest win is knowing that we, alongside our partner agencies, deterred illegal activity on Alaska’s waterways including the use or shipment of illicit drugs,” said Lt.Cmdr. Bernard Auth, member of Coast Guard District 17 enforcement division. “We appreciate the continued support from our partner agencies in our fight against the opioid crisis.”

CGIS and the Alaska State Troopers are members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task Force.

Coast Guard units and partner agencies that participated:

• Coast Guard 17th District

• Coast Guard Sector Juneau

• Coast Guard Sector Anchorage

• Coast Guard Investigative Service

• Alaska State Troopers

• Coast Guard Station Ketchikan

• Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick

• Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Seattle (91101)

• Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco (91105)

• Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles/Long Beach (91103)

• Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team – West

• Coast Guard Base Kodiak

• Ketchikan Police Department


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