A New Zealand-led international naval task force has seized 2357kg of hashish on board a ship in the Middle East – its first drug bust this year.
The US Coast Guard Cutter Emlen Tunnell was patrolling off the coast of Oman last week as part of Combined Task Force 150 when the crew spotted a “suspicious dhow transiting a well-known drug smuggling route”, the New Zealand Defence Force said today in a statement.
A crew searched the vessel and discovered 2357kg of hashish on board.
Combined Task Force 150 was one of five under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain — focused on maritime security in the Middle East region.
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Commodore Rodger Ward, who took up the role of commander of the CTF 150 last month, said they were “very pleased to have achieved our first successful bust after only a few weeks in command”.
“This is a team effort, and this bust would not have been possible without the support of the 47 nations which make up the Combined Maritime Force,” he said.
“Every bust we make reduces the flow of finances to terrorist organisations. This is why we’re here, to contribute to maritime security and protect the international rules-based system.”
HMNZS Te Kaha would depart Auckland this week to join the task force in carrying out patrols and searches.
