The littoral combat ship Freedom still has not arrived in its new home port, but that hasn’t stopped the Navy’s newest ship or her crew from doing its job. On March 11, Freedom intercepted a high-speed vessel and seized more than two tons of cocaine in Caribbean waters during counter-illicit trafficking operations. The action took place after Freedom’s crew spotted the vessel and began pursuit. Freedom deployed a team of sailors and members of a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, who intercepted the high-speed vessel after its crew dumped its illegal cargo overboard. An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 forced the alleged drug-runner to ground itself. The mission marks the third time Freedom helped stop drug smugglers. Similar operations on Feb. 22 and March 3 led to seizure of 1,700 kilos of cocaine. Freedom, now on its maiden deployment, will be homeported at San Diego Naval Station, Calif.