U.S. Navy Intercepts Fishing Vessel Smuggling $42 Million in Illegal Drugs
Greetings to all members and subscribers of Americans for a Stronger Navy!
As an organization dedicated to promoting Peace Through Strength, we are proud to share a recent success story of the U.S. Navy in supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 in interdicting a fishing vessel smuggling illegal drugs in the Gulf of Oman.
Content Summary
USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), operating under CTF 150, intercepted a fishing vessel smuggling 802 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of hashish worth $42 million. The crewmembers of the vessel were identified as Iranian nationals.
Before the Navy and Coast Guard members could seize the vessel, five smugglers attempted to discard 50 bags of methamphetamine by throwing them overboard.
However, some of the bags were recovered. Maritime forces supporting CTF 150 have seized illegal drugs worth an estimated U.S. street value of $150 million in 2023 alone, contributing to the total of $1 billion in value in drug interdictions by U.S. and international naval units in 2021 and 2022.
Key Takeaways:
The U.S. Navy intercepted a fishing vessel smuggling illegal drugs worth $42 million in the Gulf of Oman.
Maritime forces supporting CTF 150 have seized illegal drugs worth an estimated U.S. street value of $150 million in 2023 alone.
U.S. and international naval units have contributed to a total of $1 billion in value in drug interdictions in 2021 and 2022.
CTF 150 conducts maritime security and counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations and their related illicit activities.
Conclusion:
The successful interception by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard members under CTF 150 highlights the importance of promoting Peace Through Strength. We commend the sailors for their outstanding work in removing illicit narcotics from the high seas and deterring destabilizing activity in regional waters. As supporters of a Stronger Navy, we encourage our readers to subscribe and continue to engage with us in promoting a stronger and more secure America.