U.S. Navy in Middle East Seizes $39 Million in Drugs
MANAMA, Bahrain – A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer seized 640 kilograms of methamphetamine worth $39 million from a fishing vessel while patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Oman, May 15-16. A U.S. Coast Guard interdiction team from USS Momsen (DDG 92) discovered the illegal narcotics during a flag verification boarding in accordance with international law. The confiscated drugs and fishing vessel remain in U.S. custody. The vessel’s nine crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals and will be transferred to a regional nation for repatriation. Momsen was operating in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, one of four task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces. The international naval force has increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. The vessel was interdicted while transiting international waters along a route historically used by criminal organizations to smuggle people, weapons, narcotics and charcoal. Crew members attempted to…
U.S. Coast Guard Ship in Middle East Interdicts $17 Million in Drugs
MANAMA, Bahrain – A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter seized illicit narcotics from a fishing vessel while conducting patrols in the Gulf of Oman, May 15. USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) seized 182 kilograms of heroin, 182 kilograms of methamphetamine, 27 kilograms of amphetamine pills, and 568 kilograms of hashish with a total estimated U.S. street value of $17 million. Glen Harris was operating as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, one of four task forces within the Combined Maritime Forces. The international naval force has increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. On May 12, USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) interdicted a separate fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman and seized methamphetamine and hashish worth $10,000, following the seizure of $4 million in heroin May 5 by United Kingdom frigate HMS Montrose (F 236). Combined Maritime Forces is the largest multinational naval partnership…
UK Frigate Seizes Illegal Heroin Shipment in Gulf of Oman
MANAMA, Bahrain – A frigate from the United Kingdom Royal Navy seized illicit narcotics from a fishing vessel while conducting patrols in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, May 5. HMS Montrose (F 236) was operating as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, one of four task forces under Combined Maritime Forces. The international naval force has increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. The seizure included 95 kilograms of heroin with an estimated U.S. street value of $4 million. “This successful seizure by HMS Montrose is the testimony of vigilance and enhanced patrolling by CTF 150 units against illicit activities in the maritime domain,” said Commodore Vaqar Muhammad, commander of CTF 150. Combined Maritime Forces is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. The organization includes 34 nations and is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.
Pakistan Navy Interdicts Boat Smuggling Hashish in Gulf of Oman
MANAMA, Bahrain – A Pakistan Navy guided-missile frigate seized illicit narcotics from afishing vessel while conducting patrols in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, April 23. PNS Shamsheer (FFG 252) was operating as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, whichhas increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. CTF 150 isone of four task forces under Combined Maritime Forces. The seizure consisted of 950 kilograms of hashish, with an estimated U.S. street value of $2million. “This successful seizure by PNS Shamsheer is the manifestation of cohesive efforts andresolve of partner nations under the auspices of Combined Maritime Forces against illicitactivities in the maritime domain,” said Commodore Vaqar Muhammad, commander of CTF 150. “CTF 150, in synergy with partner nations, will continue to deter and suppress illicitactivities in order to ensure freedom of navigation in its area of operations.” Combined Maritime Forces is the largest multinational naval…
New International Naval Task Force to Enhance Red Sea Security
MANAMA, Bahrain – Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) established a new international naval task force April 17 to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea region. During a ceremony at the U.S. Navy’s regional headquarters in Bahrain, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and CMF, commissioned Combined Task Force (CTF) 153. “This is a tangible and meaningful demonstration of our commitment to ensuring regional maritime security and stability through international cooperation,” said Cooper. As CMF’s fourth task force, CTF 153 will focus on international maritime security and capacity-building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden. CMF is the largest standing multinational naval partnership with 34 nations committed to the international rules-based order at sea. The organization’s other task forces include CTF 150, which now focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean; CTF 151, which…
CTF 151 Holds Change of Command
MANAMA, Bahrain – Pakistan Navy Commodore Ahmed Hussain relieved Royal Jordanian Navy Col. Mohammad Al-Tarawneh as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 during a change-of-command ceremony, April 14, at Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters in Bahrain. Established in 2009, CTF 151 enhances regional maritime cooperation and protects global maritime commerce by deterring, disrupting and suppressing piracy and armed robbery at sea. “The Royal Jordanian Navy is a key part of CMF and will continue supporting efforts to provide stability and safeguard peace in the region,” said Al-Tarawneh. “The great efforts, cooperation and professionalism that my team from nine different nations provided guided the success of my mission. It has been an absolute pleasure to lead CTF 151 for the first time for the Royal Jordanian Navy.” Al-Tarawneh returns to Aqaba, Jordan, to serve as deputy commander of the Royal Jordanian Navy. Ahmed is reporting from Pakistan Navy Headquarters where…
UK Warship Interdicts Illicit Drugs in Gulf of Oman
MANAMA, Bahrain – A United Kingdom Royal Navy frigate seized more than 6 tons of illicit narcotics from a fishing vessel while conducting patrols in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, March 2. HMS Montrose (F236) was operating as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, one of three task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, a 34-nation partnership headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. CTF 150 conducts regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. The seizure consisted of 6,566 kilograms of hashish, with an estimated U.S. street value of $9 million. The narcotics were confiscated and loaded aboard HMS Montrose for analysis and destruction. “This seizure of such a huge quantity of narcotics in a single boarding is highly commendable,” said Pakistan Navy Commodore Vaqar Muhammad, CTF 150’s current commander. HMS Montrose is a Duke-class frigate that has been operating…
French Warship Interdicts Illicit Drugs Shipment in Gulf of Oman
MANAMA, Bahrain – A French Marine Nationale frigate seized 271 kilograms of heroin from a fishing vessel while patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Feb.17. FS Guépratte (F714) was operating as part of an international task force called Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which has increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity. CTF 150 is one of three task forces under Combined Maritime Forces. Guépratte is a La Fayette-class frigate and has been operating in the Middle East since January. Combined Maritime Forces is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. The organization includes 34 nations and is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.
Q&A WITH NEW CMF DCOM
In a brief Q&A, United Kingdom Royal Navy Commodore Adrian Fryer, deputy commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander, shared his thoughts about his new role as deputy commander of CMF. Q: How does it feel to return to Bahrain? A: It’s been less than seven months since I was last here as the commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) Sentinel, and it’s great to be back again as the deputy commander of CMF, working in this rich professional environment. Bahrain is an amazing country with lots of opportunities and always provides a warm welcome. The geographic location of CMF headquarters here is perfect for a number of reasons: host nation support from Bahrain is superb, co-location with NAVCENT [U.S. Naval Forces Central Command] is ideal, and the ability to have so many of CMF’s personnel here, both in the headquarters and in the task…
UK Warship, Combined Maritime Forces Seize Illicit Drugs Worth $18M
MANAMA, Bahrain – For the second time in 10 days, United Kingdom Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose (F236) interdicted a stateless fishing vessel transporting illegal drugs in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 24. Montrose was conducting a counter-narcotics patrol when it seized 150 kilograms of heroin, 250 kilograms of methamphetamine and 665 kilograms of hashish worth a total estimated U.S. street value of $18 million. “This seizure is a manifestation of the resolve and commitment of surface and air assets supporting Combined Maritime Forces to suppress and deter illicit activities at sea,” said Pakistan Navy Commodore Vaqar Muhammad, commander of Combined Task Force 150, one of three task forces under Combined Maritime Forces. Combined Maritime Forces is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. The organization includes 34 nations and is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.