Canadian-led CTF 150 Seize Nearly 2,400 kg of Hashish

Combined Maritime Forces

June 1

Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain - A boarding team from the Royal Navy's Type-45 destroyer, HMS Diamond, operating in support of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized nearly 2,400 kg of hashish during an interdiction in the Arabian Sea, May 23.

Using CTF 150's intelligence, Diamond, the embarked Wildcat helicopter crew and the boarding team comprised of ship's company and a Royal Marine Boarding Team, successfully located, boarded and searched the dhow, seizing 2,382 kg of hashish.

This seizure was the first interdiction for Diamond while supporting CMF, coming only two days into their mission with CTF 150. The ship has been forward deployed to bolster the United Kingdom's security presence in the Middle East since December, supporting Operation Kipion, the UK's long-standing maritime presence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean.

"I am extremely proud of the work of CTF 150 and HMS Diamond in preventing these drugs from reaching their final destination," said Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces. "This interdiction demonstrates the value of multinational efforts within CMF to prevent and disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations at sea."

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, 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 44-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes.