The second pair of Canadian Navy ships to deploy to Operation Caribbe 2016 have returned to their homeport concluding their participation in the international campaign.
HMCS Edmonton and Saskatoon made a substantial contribution to the multinational campaign Operation Martillo by seizing or disrupting 3,935 kg of cocaine during their deployment, which began in early March .
HMCS Moncton and Summerside were the first Canadian vessels to join the multinational campaign against transnational criminal organizations in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean.
On March 29, HMCS Edmonton and United States Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, assisted by a Maritime Patrol Aircraft, intercepted a “panga”-style fishing vessel off the Pacific coast of Central America. Upon interception of the suspicious vessel, HMCS Edmonton’s USCG Law Enforcement Detachment boarded and searched the vessel, leading to the seizure of 22 bales of cocaine, weighing 660 kg.
Additionally, HMCS Edmonton on April 3 assisted in the disruption of 650 kg of cocaine while HMCS Saskatoon assisted in the disruption of 650 kg of cocaine on April 7.
According to the Royal Canadian Navy, RCN ships have assisted in the seizure or disruption of a combined total of approximately 4,260 kg of cocaine and 1,520 kg of marijuana so far in 2016 while participating on Operation Caribbe.