Interrogation of Suspected al Qaeda Affiliates Lead U.S., Australian Navies to Seize More Drugs
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS040102-03
Release Date: 1/2/2004 1:15:00 PM
From Commander, Joint Forces Maritime Component, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
ABOARD USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- Fifteen individuals were detained and an estimated 2,800 pounds of hashish (approximately $11 million street value) were seized Jan. 2 by U.S. and coalition maritime forces following the interception of a dhow Jan. 1 in the North Arabian Sea.
These forces were operating in international waters in the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of expanded maritime interception operations designed to deny use of the seas by terrorists under the auspices of the global war on terrorism.
This interception is the third in two weeks by coalition maritime forces. USS Decatur (DDG 73) detained a dhow and its 12 crew members and seized upward of $10 million in hashish Dec. 15; USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) detained two dhows and their 21 crew members and seized 95 pounds of heroin and 50-to-100 pounds of methamphetamines Dec. 20.
Of the total 33 crew members originally detained in those interceptions, 10 have been transferred to a secure, undisclosed facility for further questioning by U.S. officials. These 10 were transferred after initial interrogations revealed possible al Qaeda affiliations deemed noteworthy enough to pursue further. Intelligence gained from those interrogations and documents discovered on board the detained dhows led to this third operation.
The remaining 23 crew members have been turned over to officials of a country in the region.
"Many terror organizations have been assessed to use drug money to fund their operations," said Vice Adm. David C. Nichols, Jr., Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet. "It is easy to see how al Qaeda could use this money-making network to fund their operations."
No one was injured in the boarding.
Following indications that the dhow was involved in smuggling activities, an Australian P-3 located and tracked the dhow as U.S. Naval forces prepared for the interception. USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Port Royal (CG 73) and USS Germantown (LSD 42), as well as elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducted the interception. Boarding teams discovered the hashish underneath blocks of ice and in hidden compartments.
The U.S. units are assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1, a new U.S. Navy task force that integrates amphibious warships and Marines with a Tomahawk missile-capable cruiser and destroyer, a frigate and a fast-attack submarine.
The 15 detained crew members are currently aboard U.S. warships awaiting further screening by U.S. officials. Potential detainee connections to al Qaeda or other terrorist groups will be investigated.
"This mission was perfectly suited to our capabilities," said Rear Adm. Bob Conway, Jr., ESG-1 commander. "We are designed to provide combatant commanders the flexibility to conduct operations across the spectrum of conflict. The immediate nature of this tasking challenged our ability to locate and intercept the dhow on short notice."
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