FS Languedoc Expands CTF-150 Record with $4.3 Million Counter Narcotics Seizure
French Marine Nationale ship FS Languedoc, assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized 902 lbs (409 kg) of heroin worth over $4.3 million dollars during a maritime counter-narcotics operation, June 6. Within twenty-four hours of entering the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) area of operations, the French frigate identified a potential smuggler and began boarding procedures to identify and seize the illegal drugs, ensuring millions of dollars in proceeds were kept out of the hands of terrorist organizations and other groups who would have used this money to bring harm to others. “The counter-narcotics operation we conducted on June 6 went very smoothly. The crew’s adaptability, and the support we had from CTF-150, was put to good use to conduct this operation effectively, despite the darkness and rough seas,” said Captain Yves Le Goff, commanding officer of FS Languedoc. “We are proud to have contributed to the fight against illicit…
Canadian and Australian members from CTF-150 Contribute to Seychelles Capacity-Building Initiative to Enhance Regional Maritime Security
Canadian and Australian staff from the multinational Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) deployed to the Republic of Seychelles from May 1-14, 2021 to provide training assistance to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Their goal was to help build the capacity of regional partners in maritime security operations. The training involved participants from four nations – Comoros, Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles – who took part in both practical and theoretical courses related to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) as well as Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The courses included search techniques, legal briefings, equipment and weapons handling, operational planning, safety procedures, practical exercises, and a swimming assessment. Through their enhanced knowledge and practical training, recipients will be better positioned to contribute to enhanced maritime security and safety of navigation in the East African regional waters. This is the first time that the multinational task force contributes to…
Marine Nationale and Royal Canadian Navy Continue Counter-Narcotics Victories under CTF-150
The Marine Nationale’s (MN) FS Guépratte and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship HMCS Calgary, prove themselves unrelenting, making four rapid counter-narcotic seizures under CTF-150. FS Guépratte commenced the successful streak with a seizure of 6,136 lbs (2,784 kg) of hashish on 12 May. HMCS Calgary followed the French frigate’s lead, striking in quick succession on 16, 17 and 18 May, seizing a combined haul of 15,465 lbs (7,015 kg) of hashish, 330 lbs (150 kg) of heroin and 529 lbs (240 kg) of methamphetamine. The total of the four maritime interdictions has deprived regional terrorist and criminal organizations of over $11.5 million dollars. “The anti-narcotics operation that we conducted on 12 May went very smoothly thanks to the great responsiveness of the CTF-150 command levels,” said Captain Guilhem Desvignes, commanding officer of the FS Guépratte. “The professionalism of the crew allowed us to conduct the operation efficiently, despite working…
Royal Canadian Navy Led Task Force Making an Impact on Regional Smuggling
After just over four months of command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, the Canadian-led task force has made strong contributions to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) mission to increase regional maritime security and halt illicit smuggling in the Middle East. Since Canada assumed command of CTF-150 on 27 January, 2021, the task force’s counter-narcotics efforts have been substantial. In partnership with navies from the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Canada, CTF-150 has led a total of 26 drug busts. The numbers in terms of total interdictions are impressive: 78,555 lbs (35,632 kg) of hashish; 8,973 lbs (4,070 kg) of heroin; and a stunning 6,762 lbs (3,067 kg) of methamphetamine, a narcotic whose presence is emerging in regional smuggling circuits. Together, these operations have interdicted over $143.6 million dollars of narcotics, the proceeds of which are linked to the financing of regional terrorist and criminal organizations in the…
HMCS Calgary Saves Sea Turtle while Operating as a Part of CMF
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary rescued a sea turtle in distress while on counter-smuggling patrols in direct support to CMF’s Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) off the coast of Oman. The rescue occurred around 7:30 a.m. on 4 May, after the turtle was spotted by the ship’s Navigating Officer Lieutenant (Navy) (Lt(N)) Evan Park. The turtle was struggling helplessly in netting and other debris that had formed together after being adrift at sea. Lt(N) Park sought approval by the ship’s Commanding Officer Commander (Cdr) Mark O’Donohue to dispatch a small boat team. “It’s unfortunate but we often see debris of this type at sea. I have made it a habit when on watch to take a closer inspection in these situations to see if sea life is in danger, when it’s safe for the ship to do so,” said Lt(N) Park. The small boat team was promptly dispatched, and…
Royal Canadian Navy Make Four Drugs Busts in Three Days
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…
Royal Canadian Navy Sets New CMF Heroin Record Seizure in Back-to-Back Drugs Busts
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship HMCS Calgary has made the largest ever heroin bust in Combined Maritime Forces history, operating under the command of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. The record-setting haul of 2,835 lbs (1,286 kg) of heroin on 23 April was achieved seven years to the day since HMAS Darwin interdicted 2,275 lbs (1,032kg) of the drug in 2014. In addition to their record-breaking success, Calgary struck again less than 24 hours later with a second interdiction capturing 794 lbs (360 kg) of methamphetamine. “I’m speaking for everyone on HMCS Calgary when I say it’s a great feeling to have made two substantial busts so early into our operation,” said the Commanding Officer of Calgary, Commander Mark O’Donohue. “A lot of work and coordination at both the ship level, and throughout Combined Task Force-150, and the CMF coalition goes into our work. It’s fantastic to…
Marine Nationale Achieves High-Value Drugs Bust
French frigate FS Guépratte has seized 1,380 lbs (626 kg) of methamphetamine worth more than $17 million, during the latest Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea, April 9. After spotting a suspicious vessel whilst on patrol in the Arabian Sea and investigating with the ship’s boarding team, the subsequent search operation uncovered the illicit cargo, which also contained 165 lbs (75 kg) of heroin worth a further $787,500. “This drug seizure contributes to the high level of achievements performed by French naval forces in the area. It represents another great success against the illicit traffic of narcotic drugs at sea and crowns the efficient and relentless training undertaken by my crew since September,” said Guépratte’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Guilhem Desvignes. “I particularly want to highlight the outstanding cooperation we had with Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 which was key to this significant success.” Operating in direct…
Five in One Week for the Marine Nationale and Combined Task Force-150
French Marine Nationale ships have achieved an impressive five seizures of illicit drugs in just six days, whilst participating in a counter-narcotics focused operation under the command of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. The noteworthy successful run began on March 19, when the French frigate FS Nivôse intercepted a high-value shipment of 809 lbs (367 kg) of methamphetamine and 685 lbs (311 kg) of heroin. This was swiftly followed by two concurrent counter-narcotics operations on March 22 by FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf, which resulted in interdictions of over 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg), and 1,300 lbs (600 kg) of hashish respectively. Barely 48 hours later, helicopter carrier Tonnerre was back at it with a flourish, seizing a massive 7,055 lbs (3,200kg) of hashish. A concurrent counter-narcotic success at sea by FS Nivôse followed quickly behind, with the crew interdicting a further 2,425 lbs (1,100kg) of…
HMS Montrose Seizes Third Drugs Haul in Five Weeks
Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose has struck for a third time in less than five weeks. In an operation lasting 10 hours, the Montrose intercepted over 6100 lbs (2800 kg) of hashish and 110 lbs (50 kg) of heroin in the Arabian Sea, March 12, 2021. The boarding team from the ship, operating in direct support of CMF’s Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) seized the drugs – with a combined estimated wholesale value of over $4.5 million – following searches of suspicious vessels whilst undertaking a counter-narcotics patrol. This latest successful interdiction has further deprived criminal and terrorist networks of their ability to finance their operations through the transport and sale of illicit cargo. HMS Montrose Commanding Officer, Commander Ollie Hucker said; “It is purely coincidental that this operational success falls on my last day at sea in Command. Be it the first day or the last day, these results…