French Marine Nationale frigate FS Languedoc, operating in support of the
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized more than 1,600 kg of illegal drugs during
a maritime counter-narcotics operation in the Indian Ocean, Sept. 20.

Members of FS Languedoc proudly stand with their haul of hashish seized from a dhow during a counter-smuggling operation as part of Combined Task Force-150, 20 September, 2021 (Photo Credit: Marine Nationale).

The intercept and search of a vessel suspected of smuggling resulted in the seizure
of more than 1,525 kg of hash and 166 kg of methamphetamine with a combined
value of over $5.2 million.

Languedoc was conducting patrols in support of CMF’s New Zealand-led Combined
Task Force (CTF) 150 when it seized the illegal drugs.

“The seizure of narcotics from a dhow in the Indian Ocean is testament to the strong
partnership between CMF, the Marine Nationale and CTF 150, said Royal New
Zealand Navy Capt. Brendon Clark, commander of CTF 150. “Languedoc has once
again demonstrated that through collaboration with like-minded partners, CMF is
able to seize and destroy millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics, the income from
which would otherwise be used to fund illicit activities and terrorism.”

CTF 150’s mission is to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations and their related
illicit activities, including the movement of personnel, weapons, narcotics and
charcoal. CTF 150 conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to
ensure legitimate commercial shipping transits the region freely from non-state
threats.

CMF is a multinational maritime partnership of 34 nations that includes three task
forces. It exists to uphold international rules-based order by countering illicit non-
state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity across
approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters encompassing some of
the world’s most important shipping lanes.