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 at night and rough seas. We are proud to have contributed to the ongoing fight against the financing of international terrorism.”
“Day after day after day Calgary has been having amazing success on its current mission with Combined Task Force 150,” said Commander Mark O’Donohue, commanding officer of HMCS Calgary. “This success would not be possible without the dedication of the ship’s company who are continuing to work around-the-clock on this mission. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts are having a significant effect in the fight against the financing of regional crime and terror.”
These latest interdictions have now increased the total number of successful narcotics operations under CTF-150 to twenty-nine, since the Royal Canadian Navy’s Commodore Daniel Charlebois took command of the task force in January 2021.
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