French frigate seizes narcotics off Somalia

French Navy frigate FS Nivôse has seized over 250 kilograms from a suspected vessel in her first month of operations as part of the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150).

The narcotics were seized in a June 8 operation in which the crew of Nivôse boarded and inspected a dhow off the coast of Somalia.

The sailors discovered a total of 251 kilograms of heroin, worth an estimated $2.6 million in East Africa. The illicit narcotics were subsequently seized and destroyed by the crew of the Nivôse.

This is just the latest in a series of seizures by the Marine Nationale, complementing those made by the French warships Jean de Vienne and La Fayette in recent months. In total, the three ships have been responsible for seizing 6 tonnes of hashish and nearly 1,200 kilograms of heroin whilst supporting CTF150 operations over the last three months.

FS Nivôse, whose home base is in the French overseas department of Réunion, is currently conducting operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

CMF is an enduring global maritime partnership of 32 nations aligned in common purpose to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in order to provide security and stability in the maritime environment.

CTF150 is currently being led by the UK, but the headquarters staff also features members of three other nations, including five French personnel from the Marine Nationale.