Royal Canadian Navy makes four drug busts in three days

Members of HMCS Calgary stand with 3,350 kilograms of hash seized from a dhow during a counter-smuggling operation on April 30 in the Arabian Sea, as part of Operation Artemis with Combined Task Force 150. Photos by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, HMC Calgary Imagery Technician

Combined Maritime Forces
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HMCS Calgary has intercepted four more suspicious dhows off the coast of Oman during a string of high-tempo operations, leading to the seizure of illicit narcotics worth over $14.44 million in just three days.

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warship conducted three back-to-back drug interdiction operations on April 30, seizing 6,836 kg (15,071 lbs) of hashish. Calgary’s operational success continued on May 2 with a high-value interdiction of 520 kg (1,146 lbs) of methamphetamine, 625 kg (1,378 lbs) of hashish, and 5 kg (11 lbs) of heroin.

This is the latest in a series of six seizures in just seven days made by Calgary while in direct support of Combined Maritime Forces’ Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

“Four more major busts for HMCS Calgary and in only three days. This could not have been done without the incredible around-the-clock effort of the ship’s company and support from Combined Task Force 150,” said Commander Mark O’Donohue, Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary. “This year, more and more meth is being transported through the region, and it feels good to be taking this very dangerous and lucrative drug out of the hands of criminal and terrorist organizations.”

One of the key factors in Calgary’s operational success has been the direct support provided by a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora aircraft based out of the United Arab Emirates, a Combined Maritime Forces partner. The Canadian patrol aircraft provides critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, facilitating the identification of potential smugglers to CTF-150 and to the warship.   

“I am incredibly proud of the crew of HMCS Calgary and the tangible impact they have made in the region in such a short space of time,” said Commodore Daniel Charlebois of the Royal Canadian Navy, Commander of CTF-150. “In only one week, they have successfully carried out six interdictions, helping to choke the revenue streams which feed regional terrorist and criminal organizations.”

Royal Canadian Navy sailors aboard HMCS Calgary bring aboard contraband seized from smugglers during counter-smuggling operations on April 30.

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The Combined Maritime Forces is a multinational maritime partnership, which exists to uphold the International Rules-Based Order by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Calgary and CTF-150 are operating as part of Operation Artemis, Canada’s contribution to maritime security in the Middle East, and its mission to stop terrorism in the region.

CTF-150 conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations, ensuring legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region, free from non-state threats. CTF-150 is currently commanded by the Royal Canadian Navy, which is leading the task force for the fifth time.

Op Artemis is part of Canada’s contribution to multinational counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts under Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, facilitating the identification and cueing of vessels suspected of being engaged in illicit maritime activity on the high seas.

In 2021, Operation Artemis comprises the following contributions from the Canadian Armed Forces: HMCS Calgary, a Halifax-class Royal Canadian Navy Frigate; CP-140, a long-range patrol aircraft used by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for multiple types of missions over land and water; and the command and control of CTF-150 under Combined Maritime Forces, based in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

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