A task force led by the Royal Navy has delivered another multi-million-pound blow to drug traffickers in the Middle East, intercepting over 1.6 tonnes of drugs worth more than £6.4 million in the UK.

The drugs, consisting of hashish, methamphetamine, and pills, were discovered by the crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter John Scheuerman during a routine patrol for the maritime security task force.

This marks the second successful seizure in just four weeks for Combined Task Force 150, commanded by Captain Jim Byron. Last month, the USCG cutter Emlen Tunnell prevented drugs with an estimated UK wholesale value of £13.2 million from reaching their destination in the same waters, preventing the proceeds from funding criminal activities.

These successful interdictions demonstrate the task force’s effectiveness in disrupting illicit activities and preventing the flow of illegal drugs in the region.

“Using the combined ships, aircraft and personnel of the Combined Maritime Forces to patrol the high seas, we will make every effort to stop illicit trafficking and terrorism,” said Capt Byron.

“We will continue to pursue this mission day and night from the Strait of Hormuz south to Madagascar and beyond.”

You can read more here.

Lisa West
Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.

20 COMMENTS

    • So the US Coast guard actually stop the ship but somehow the UK can manage to brag about that. What the hell. And there is no reason on God’s green earth that the US Coast guard should be there in the first place.

      • As I read this article this is a combined operation amongst several allies led by a R.N. officer – most likely on a rotation command system. I welcome this news and congratulate all concerned. Incidenatally, the R.N. has had some success in the Caribbean intercepting drug running at sea together with U.S.C.G. colleagues. I rather think these chaps do have something to ‘brag about’ as you put it. Operations like this are not cheap but then nor is policing the criminal activities and social consequences of Class A (U.K. designation) drug use in our several countries.

        • Being reasonable with this sad clown doesn’t work mate, he ignores the subject matter and goes off on an anti-UK rant regardless of the content!

          • I know! I am an undisciplined old so-and-so. I just can’t help myself. Still it’s good to exercise the grey matter before it conks out completely.

        • Actually, commentary raises a potentially interesting question: Is there provision in international maritime law or UN resolutions for sale of seized vessels and expropriation of any discovered cash or other real property? Presume that self-financing operations could result in an increase in overall morale. 🤔😳

      • Where in the article does the UK or RN claim the credit? It states clearly who was responsible, so what is your beef?
        It is a multi nation force currently led by a RN officer, and would be good PR whoever leads it.
        We are not like Hollywood, and enigma machines captured by the US.

        • Lt Cmr David Balme R.N. actually worked with the producers of U571 and when interviewed was as gracious as E. is tedious. He patiently explained that making the story from a British perspective would have had no box office appeal in the States, since they only watch American heroics or British defeats (and have much to choose from so making this choice of story an odd one). His capturing the machine wasn’t as vitally important as his taking care to remove the instructions and settings documents printed with water soluble ink. He recovered the priceless ‘C.O.’s Eyes Only’ instructions to decode messages even too sensitive for the boats wireless operators to read. These remained invaluable throughout the conflict thereafter. Nice man, didn’t blow his own trumpet. Different breed back then.

      • As a country that does not have a Coast Guard (UK) we have a civilian company contracted to do the work. And USA Coast Guard are a military force a armed back up to USN, as we should have but do to pensions UKGOV will not bring it in house, a disgrace.

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