MANAMA, Bahrain – An Indian navy ship, working in direct support of New Zealand-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized over 2,500 kilograms of illicit narcotics from a vessel in the Arabian Sea, March 31.

The Talwar-class frigate INS Tarkash seized 2,386 kg of hashish and 121 kg of heroin in one of the largest narcotics seizures in the region recently.

Utilizing information from the CTF 150 Command Team and Indian Navy P-8I aircraft patrolling overhead, the Tarkash crew intercepted the suspicious vessel, sending over a boarding team to carry out a thorough search. After discovering the illicit cargo, it was subsequently seized.

Tarkash is deployed to the region supporting CTF 150 and is participating in the multinational focused operation, Anzac Tiger.

Maritime security operations are conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to help ensure the security and safety of commercial shipping and legitimate maritime traffic operating in international waters. Indian Navy regularly deploys ships and aircraft are as part of CMF operations.

Indian Navy staff have also been deployed to CTF 150, including the Deputy Commander, Indian navy Capt. Suman Saurabh Sharma, who said, “this seizure demonstrates how effective a multinational partnership can be, as we work together to disrupt criminal activities. The professionalism and teamwork shown by all of the Combined Maritime Forces nations and the units at sea involved in this operation contributed to our success.” 

Commander of CTF 150, Royal New Zealand Navy Cmde. Rodger Ward, said, “Today was a great Navy day for us.  I was very proud of the team and the way they worked together. These are young officers and sailors from multiple nations working together using their training and experience to outwit the smugglers and it’s great to see them achieving and celebrating a success.”

INS Tarkash is a Teg class frigate of the Indian Navy, and is part of the Western Fleet under Western Naval Command, based at Mumbai.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership. CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 46-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.