HMCS Calgary has intercepted four suspicious dhows off the coast of Oman during a string of high-tempo operations, leading to the seizure of illicit narcotics worth over $14.4 million in just three days.

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warship conducted three back-to-back drug interdiction operations on 30 April, seizing 15,071 lbs (6,836 kg) of hashish. Calgary’s operational success continued on 2 May, with a high-value interdiction of 1,146 lbs (520 kg) of methamphetamine, 1,378 lbs (625 kg) of hashish and 11 lbs (5 kg) of heroin. This is the latest in a series of six seizures in just seven days made by Calgary whilst in direct support of CMF’s Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

“Four more major busts for HMCS Calgary and in only three days. This could not have been done without the incredible around-the-clock effort of the ship’s company and support from Combined Task Force 150,” said Commander Mark O’Donohue, Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary. “This year, more and more meth is being transported through the region, and it feels good to be taking this very dangerous and lucrative drug out of the hands of criminal and terrorist organizations.
One of the key factors in Calgary’s operational success has been the direct support provided by a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora Aircraft based out of the United Arab Emirates, a CMF partner. The Canadian patrol aircraft provides critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, facilitating the identification of potential smugglers to CTF-150 and to the warship.
“I am incredibly proud of the crew of HMCS Calgary and the tangible impact they have made in the region in such a short space of time,” said Commodore Daniel Charlebois of the Royal Canadian Navy, Commander of CTF-150. “In only one week, they have successfully carried out six interdictions, helping to choke the revenue streams which feed regional terrorist and criminal organizations.”


