MORE than 22 tonnes of illicit narcotics worth an estimated $300 million were seized and destroyed so far this year by a Bahrain-based multinational taskforce.
The Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which is being led by the UK Royal Navy since the start of the year, included personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and Italy’s Marina Militaire.
The personnel have prevented criminal and terrorist organisations from carrying out operations and illegally move people, weapons, and income-generating narcotics from January until last month.
Details of the anti-narcotics operations at sea were shared by the RNZN whose four personnel were attached to the taskforce that covered an enormous area, from the Gulf of Oman in the north, across the vast Indian Ocean, and down as far as the Mozambique Channel in the south.
“The four RNZN personnel have been attached to CTF 150 in multiple headquarters roles, assisting in delivering 51 maritime security visits and boardings, 14 of which resulted in successful interdictions,” said a statement yesterday.
“The drugs included hashish, heroin, methamphetamine and fenethylline tablets, with an estimated wholesale value of more than $300m.
“Around seven tonnes of the overall haul were heroin and methamphetamine, with CTF 150 reporting an increase in these more damaging and addictive drugs being trafficked over maritime routes.”
CTF 150 is one of five taskforces under the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the largest multinational naval partnership that consists of 38 nations, including Bahrain.
US and international naval units in the Middle East have seized illegal drugs totalling $1 billion in value from 2021 to 2022.
The other four CMF taskforces are: CTF 154 that trains partner navies and improves operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in the Middle East; CTF 153 for maritime security in the Red Sea; CTF 151 which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; and CTF 152 which is dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf
Royal New Zealand Air Force Senior National Officer, Wing Commander Brett Clayton, who is based at the CMF, said the Navy personnel deployed to CTF 150 found it a privilege to be part of a successful mission and work with other nations which had the common goal of stopping the flow of narcotics.
Lieutenant Michael Linehan, one of four RNZN personnel, said the deployment gave him the opportunity to see and conduct maritime operations from the shore, having previously spent his career at sea.
“Working with our longstanding partners from the UK was highly rewarding, and it was a great experience to meet mariners from so many different countries, see maritime operations from the other side, and work together with other nations co-operating as a coalition force,” added Lt Michael.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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