500kg Drug Seizure

Warships operating as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) CTF150 have successfully conducted an operation aimed at disrupting illicit activity in the Indian ocean.

Combined Maritime Forces operation concludes after seizing 500kg of drugs

Warships operating as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have successfully conducted an operation aimed at disrupting illicit activity in the Indian ocean.

Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150), conducted counter-terrorism Focused Operation Southern Sweep between Monday, 25 March 2013 and Monday, 01 April 2013. Key units involved in the operation included HMAS Toowoomba and HMCS Toronto.

During the Focused Operation Toronto successfully disrupted a massive heroin shipment.

The crew of the Canadian warship searched a suspect vessel in the Indian Ocean off Zanzibar Island, Tanzania and found almost 500kg of heroin stowed in hidden compartments.

The Commander of CTF150, Commodore Charles McHardie Royal Australian Navy, said that the Focused Operation provided a valuable opportunity for engaging with regional authorities in the southern part of the area of operations.

“Focused Operation Southern Sweep has brought the resources of the Combined Maritime Forces and partner agencies into the southern reaches of the area of operations,” Commodore McHardie said.

“The breadth of the area of operations means that it is vital that CMF maintains close working relationships with our regional partners.

“Our common goal of maritime security and stability can only be achieved by continued cooperation and information sharing between our forces.”

During Southern Sweep the warships Toronto and Toowoomba interacted with personnel of the Kenyan and Tanzanian navies and the Seychelles Coast Guard.

A Seychellois officer embarked in Toronto during the operation, providing valuable local knowledge and insight to their operations.

Commodore Simon Ancona Royal Navy, Deputy Commander of CMF, dais: “Focused operations like this are a lynchpin of our efforts to provide maritime security and stability across our operating area.

“By combining accurate intelligence, careful observation and monitoring, and the experience and expertise of our operational units, Focused Operation Southern Sweep has been a great success and the teams involved can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved.

CTF150, a combined Australian and Canadian staff, forms part of CMF and works with other agencies to coordinate maritime security operations across their area of operations

The CMF mission is to promote security, stability and prosperity across the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The area encompasses some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

During Focused Operation Southern Sweep CTF150 targeted the region’s historical maritime smuggling routes, working alongside both regional authorities and warships from Australia, Canada, France and the United States.

The smuggling of narcotics in the region is a recognised funding source for terrorist organisations. By interrupting the narcotics trade CTF150 is able to deny financial resources to extremist groups.

Source: Combined Maritime Forces.

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