US Navy foils $42 million drug smuggling attempt in Gulf of Oman

TDT | agencies

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

An attempt to smuggle illegal drugs worth $42 million has been foiled by US Navy while patrolling the Gulf of Oman.

USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, was instrumental in detecting the smuggling attempt on the 21st of April, while operating in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

The crew of USS Paul Hamilton retrieved from the vessel 802 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of hashish.

CTF 150 is one of four task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational naval partnership of 38 nations.

As the US Navy and Coast Guard members from Paul Hamilton seized the vessel, five smugglers on board attempted to discard 50 bags of methamphetamine weighing 35 pounds each by throwing the drugs overboard.

Some of the bags were able to be recovered from the water.

The vessel’s crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals.

“This was outstanding work by the entire Paul Hamilton team,” said Capt. Anthony Webber, commander of Task Force 55 and responsible for overseeing US maritime surface operations in the Middle East.

“These interdictions remove illicit narcotics from the high seas and help deter destabilising activity in regional waters.”

In 2023, maritime forces supporting CTF 150 have seized illegal drugs worth a combined estimated US street value of $150 million, adding to record-breaking drug interdictions by US and international naval units in 2021 and 2022, totaling $1 billion in value.

“I am incredibly pleased with the performance of our Sailors,” said Cmdr. Jake Ferrari, commanding officer of Paul Hamilton.

“We remain committed to delivering consistent maritime security and countering illicit activities and contraband smuggling in the region.”