Working as a part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Emlen Tunnell was last week patrolling off the coast of Oman when crew observed a suspicious dhow transiting a well-known drug smuggling route.
The boarding team searched the vessel and discovered 2357kg of hashish on board.
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Commodore Rodger Ward is the Commander of CTF 150, a role he took up last month.
“Our command is a small cog in a system focused on interdicting illicit trafficking on the high seas. This is a team effort and this bust would not have been possible without the support of the 47 nations of the Combined Maritime Force.”
“We are very pleased to have achieved our first successful bust after only a few weeks in command.
HMNZS Te Kaha will depart Auckland this week to join the task force. During her deployment, she will do similar patrols and boarding operations in direct support to CTF150 as a part of New Zealand’s commitment to collective security efforts in the Middle East region.
CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain and is focused on maritime security in the Middle East Region, particularly the disruption of drug smuggling operations.