Bags of illegal narcotics seized from a vessel are stacked on the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) in the Arabian Sea, 16 January 2024, USCGC Emlen Tunnell was operating under Combined Task Force 150, one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. CTF 150 focuses on maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf. Credit: DVIDS.

A US Sentinel-class fast response cutter, within the French-led CTF 150 of the CMF, seized $8.1m worth of illegal narcotics.

While all eyes are fixed on the conflict in the Levant, where regional militant groups are challenging the security of commercial shipping, nearby in the Arabian Sea the CMF continue to “promote the security and stability” of the US-led ‘rules-based order’ that is currently under fire.

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The fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) seized 173 kilogrammes of methamphetamines following a search. The servicepeople properly disposed of the drugs and released the vessel.

This is the second interdiction by CTF 150 of the year and marks the 14th time they have seized illegal drugs at sea since France took command in July 2023.

During France’s tenure, more than 16 tonens of illegal narcotics with a street value of over $600m were seized and disposed, preventing criminal and terrorist organisations generating income from drug smuggling.

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The seizure came one day before France turned over command of the task force to the Royal Canadian Navy.

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The mission of CTF 150 is to disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons or drugs, or engage in other illicit activities in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, and focuses on maritime security operations.

The 39-nation naval partnership upholds the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2m square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.