CMF: French frigate seizes 1,500 kg of hashish in Arabian Sea

On January 5, 2020, French frigate Courbet (F 712), currently operating in support of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), seized 1,500 kg of hashish from a vessel in the Arabian Sea.

This is the second seizure for the French Marine Nationale frigate in the last 30 days and the third for CTF 150 since Australia assumed command in early December 2019.

Using its shipborne helicopter, FS Courbet detected the suspicious vessel and dispatched a boarding team to conduct a search. Following the search, the team was able to uncover 1,500 kg of hashish hidden among unused fishing gear.

The estimated regional wholesale value of these narcotics is USD 780,000, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) said in a statement. The retail value of this shipment, had it reached Africa or Europe, is many times higher.

“To the terrorists who profit from the drug trade in this region, the loss of this shipment and two others in the last 30 days, represents a considerable hit to their funding,” Commodore Ray Leggatt, Royal Australian Navy, the Commander of CTF 150, said.

Australian lead, CTF 150’s staff is made up of personnel from the Royal Australian, Royal Canadian, and Royal New Zealand navies. CTF 150’s mission is to disrupt terrorist organizations and their related illegal activities by restricting their freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain.