Coast Guard cutter returns home to Alameda

The first of the U.S. Coast Guard’s most able multi-mission cutters returned to its home base of Alameda Friday, Coast Guard officials said.

The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf seized more than $188 million in illegal narcotics weighing more than 12,500 pounds, according to the Coast Guard. Crewmembers detained 24 suspected drug traffickers as well.

The operations lasted four and a half months, according to the Coast Guard.

Petty Officer Matthew Burkett said in a statement the crew is happy to be home:

“It’s been a long deployment away from family and friends. We’re all very excited to be getting home, but we’re proud of the success we’ve had over the past few months.”

Bertholf operates from the Arctic to South America.