MANAMA, Bahrain – Two French Navy frigates, operating in direct support of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized narcotics with a combined value of more than USD $142 million from multiple vessels in the Arabian Sea.

“The continuous presence of Combined Maritime Forces, operating through multi-national collaboration, in the fight against the illicit narcotics trade has resulted in an incredibly successful period of interdictions,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander, CTF 150.

During routine maritime security patrols, over a period of several weeks, multiple dhows of interest were intercepted for not displaying external markings nor transmitting on the Automatic Identification System, a shipboard maritime tracking and broadcast system required for vessels over a certain weight and length by international maritime authorities.

Under permission from CTF 150, flag-verification boardings were conducted by the French crews and illicit drugs were discovered. Across nine separate boarding operations, more than 16 tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and hash were seized, confirmed by testing and subsequently disposed of. According to Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell (RNIFC) pricing, the combined estimated regional wholesale value of the drugs was more than USD $142 million.

“Just last month we saw Pakistan warships PNS Yamook and PNS Tabuk interdict over four tons of crystal methamphetamine and 50 kg of cocaine, with a combined estimated regional wholesale value of more than USD $295 million,” said Aljoiad. “These past few months have seen the most successful period of interdictions in CMF history, all owing to the professionalism and commitment of the combined naval forces service men and women.”

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 47-nation naval partnership upholding the international rulesbased order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.