Illegal Smuggling at Sea Ends After Coalition Interception
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080220-09
Release Date: 2/20/2008 2:28:00 PM
From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs
NORTH PERSIAN GULF (NNS) -- Two coalition warships have intercepted and stopped illegal smuggling activities in the North Arabian Sea Feb. 18-19.
A coalition warship assigned to Combined Maritime Forces intercepted a fishing dhow with drugs on board in the North Arabian Sea on Feb. 18.
While conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO), the warship stopped and boarded the Pakistani-flagged vessel. During the boarding, a large quantity of hashish, approximately 4.3 tons, was discovered in the cargo hold of the ship. The majority of the drugs were disposed of at sea, and a representative sample was retained for use as evidence in court.
On Feb. 19, another coalition warship intercepted a separate vessel carrying more than 10,000 bottles of alcohol.
Pakistani authorities arrested both dhows' crew and are taking them back to Pakistan, where they will face an investigation for drug related and smuggling offenses.
Coalition ships assigned to Task Force (TF) 150 operate throughout the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. TF 150 is commanded by Pakistani Commodore Hasham Saddique; Pakistan has commanded the Task Force two times.
MSO are focused on counter-terrorism; defense of offshore and onshore maritime infrastructure; counter smuggling; counter-piracy; and upholding international rights and freedoms.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
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