Narcotics in Indian Ocean: Over 400 kg Seized
Sunday the 6th of June, 2021, the boarding team of the French multi-purpose frigate (FREMM) Languedoc (D653) seized more than 400kg of narcotics on a cargo ship.
On June 6th, 2021, during a surveillance flight, the French frigate’s helicopter deployed to secure the Strait of Hormuz identified a potential narcotics smuggler.
After initiating the boarding procedures, the boarding team of the frigate Languedoc discovered several canvas bags containing numerous suspicious packages in one of the holds.
A chemical test confirmed that the shipment was narcotics. The illicit cargo seized by the French Navy had a total weight of 409 kg and an estimated street value of over $4.3 million dollars.
This operation was conducted under the aegis of the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) which is based on a multinational coalition of which France is a member.
CTF 150 is coordinated from Bahrain and conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Gulfs of Aden and Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
Finally, Drug-related seizures have prevented millions of dollars from falling into the hands of terrorist organisations and other groups that would have used the money to harm others.
