On 29 May it was announced that the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) made its highest value drug bust of the year, seizing 1000kg of heroin, 660kg hashish and 6kg of amphetamine (with a street value of around $920million) in the Middle East.
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster was patrolling in the North Arabian Sea the previous week, when the ship identified and tracked a small cargo dhow acting in a suspicious manner. After observing the dhow using a Peregrine uncrewed aerial system, Royal Marine boarding teams boarded the vessel while a Wildcat helicopter with a Royal Marine sniper team covered them.
Once the six crew were secured, the boarding team found 50 packages containing 1000kg of heroin, 55 packages containing 660kg of hashish and 6kg of amphetamine tablets. The drugs were taken back to the ship for testing and disposal. Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Chris Chew, said the ship’s latest success was the result of his crew’s motivation, commitment and dedication. “This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets,” he said.
Commander CTF 150, Commodore Rodger Ward RNZN said,“Conducting maritime interdictions requires a team effort from the men and women here in the headquarters in Bahrain reaching through to those out on the oceans disrupting drug smuggling operations at the coal face. I’d like to acknowledge the 210-strong ship’s company from Lancaster for continuing to get amongst it day-after-day. Everyone in the team can be proud of their efforts to disrupt the criminal and terrorist organisations that continue to use illicit narcotics to fund their activities and this is a significant blow to their revenue stream.”
CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain and is focussed on maritime security in the Middle East, in particular the disruption of drug smuggling operations. HMNZS Te Kaha was also deployed to CTF 150 over the last two months, conducting similar operations as Lancaster as part of New Zealand’s commitment to collective security efforts in the Middle East.
Source: RNZN
