Indian Navy seizes 940kg of drugs in Arabian Sea in first Interdiction as CMF member
- In Reports
- 07:54 PM, Apr 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Indian Navy Ship, INS Talwar, while supporting the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, carried out its inaugural interception of illicit narcotics as part of the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), confiscating 940 kg of drugs in the Arabian Sea.
The CMF, a naval partnership comprising 42 nations, aims to maintain the international rules-based order by fostering security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water, covering some of the globe's most crucial shipping lanes.
According to an Indian Navy spokesperson, INS Talwar, a naval vessel deployed for maritime security operations in the Western Arabian Sea, participated in Operation Crimson Barracuda, led by a combined task force. During the operation, INS Talwar successfully intercepted a suspicious dhow on April 13.
He stated that the ship's specialist boarding teams and MARCOs confiscated 940 kilograms of contraband narcotics. The drugs are being disposed of following standard operating procedures.
The Indian Navy, with support from the CTF 150, confiscated the narcotics. The CTF 150 operates as one of five task forces within CMF, the world's largest international naval partnership.
CTF 150's objective is to prevent and disrupt the movement of weapons, drugs, and other illegal substances by non-state actors in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Oman.
As part of the 'Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda,' INS Talwar seized 453 kilograms of methamphetamines, 416 kilograms of hash, and 71 kilograms of heroin from the dhow, according to a statement from CMF.
Last November, the Indian Navy officially became a member of CMF. "I commend the crew of INS Talwar for their diligent efforts throughout this Focused Operation, which resulted in the successful seizure of 940 kg of drugs," stated Captain Colin Matthews of the Royal Canadian Navy, Commander of CTF 150.
"The fourth seizure of this Focused Operation, which concluded on April 15, highlights the effectiveness and professionalism of both CMF and the Indian Navy in deterring and disrupting criminal and terrorist activities at sea," stated.
The operation, named Crimson Barracuda, specifically targeted countering the use of the high seas by terrorist and criminal organisations for smuggling operations in the Western Indian Ocean region.
Image source: NDTV News
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