MANAMA: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The French Navy Ship Floreal supported Pakistan Navy led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 operations Eagle Claw One and Eagle Claw Two have busted worth millions of dollars 3,866kg narcotics.
The CTF 150 team, in November and December, executed the operations with the availability of platforms from Pakistan, France and US Navies. These operations aimed at countering narcotics smuggling, which tends to increase during this period due to favorable sea conditions. Representing Pakistan Navy, PNS Zulfiquar also played a key role in these coordinated efforts.
During these operations, the Combined Maritime Forces in a statement said, the deployed ships investigated fishing dhows suspected of being involved in narcotics smuggling. These efforts lead to successful interdiction of a dhow by FS Floreal on Nov. 7 that was carrying 3,866 kilograms of illicit narcotics, including 3.5 tons of Hashish, 341 kilograms of Methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of Fenethylline tablets. The intelligence gathered from this operation led to readjustment in deployment areas of ships and aircraft operating in support of CTF 150.
Following this drug bust, FS Floreal continued with investigation of dhows along the likely smuggling routes, which resulted in another successful interception on Nov. 17 in which the dhow was attempting to smuggle 467 kilograms of Methamphetamine and 57 kilograms of Heroin. FS Floreal destroyed all the narcotics at sea in order to disrupt narcotics smuggling efforts and deter smugglers from these ventures.
While operating in support of CTF 150, PNS Zulfiquar also rendered technical assistance to a stranded dhow, which had suffered an engine failure. Similarly, FS Floreal provided medical assistance to the crew of one of the dhows. These assistance missions to legitimate fishing dhows spread awareness on CMF Operations and generate good will among the maritime community.
The ships also conducted a joint exercise prior to the culmination of Eagle Claw Two to demonstrate collaborative resolve against illicit activities at sea and enhance interoperability between participating ships.
Commodore Asim Sohail Malik, commander of CTF 150, commended the efforts of FS Floreal and PNS Zulfiquar, emphasizing the importance of such operations in combating illicit activities, ensuring maritime security and delivering humanitarian assistance in the region, as and when required.
CTF 150 is one of the five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest international naval partnership with 46 nations that upholds freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waters. The mission of CTF 150 is to deter and disrupt smuggling of drugs, illicit substances and weapons through its area of operation.
