Two Royal Canadian Navy ships complete successful deployment of Op CARIBBE
News Release
April 20, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Her Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) Edmonton and Saskatoon have concluded their participation in Operation CARIBBE 2016, having made a substantial contribution to the multinational campaign Operation MARTILLO. With the three new events below added, HMC Ships Edmonton and Saskatoon have assisted in the seizure or disruption of 3,935 kg of cocaine during their deployment, which began in early March.
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First Event. On March 29, HMCS Edmonton and United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Escanaba, assisted by a Maritime Patrol Aircraft, intercepted a “panga”-style fishing vessel off the Pacific coast of Central America. Upon interception of the suspicious vessel, HMCS Edmonton's USCG Law Enforcement Detachment boarded and searched the vessel, leading to the seizure of 22 bales of cocaine, weighing 660 kg;
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Second Event. On April 3, HMCS Edmonton assisted in the disruption of 650 kg of cocaine; and
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Third Event. On April 7, HMCS Saskatoon assisted in the disruption of 650 kg of cocaine.
So far in 2016, RCN ships have assisted in the seizure or disruption of a combined total of approximately 4,260 kg of cocaine and 1,520 kg of marijuana while participating on Operation CARIBBE.
Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s participation in the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking by transnational organized crime in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The Canadian Armed Forces has conducted Operation CARIBBE since November 2006.
Quotes
“The skill, training, and dedication of the all the sailors in the Royal Canadian Navy are once again proven to be second-to-none. I am exceptionally proud of the hard work and cohesion displayed by all the ships’ crews and I commend all the members involved in these disruptions.”
Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
“The first deployment of four Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels in 2016 produced tremendous results in disrupting illicit trafficking in both the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. Their vigilance and interoperability with the United States Coast Guard Teams not only kept approximately four tonnes of cocaine from reaching our streets, but also kept those proceeds from the criminal organizations who destabilize the safety and security in Central and South America.”
Lieutenant-General Stephen Bowes, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command
Quick Facts
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Earlier in March, HMCS Edmonton and Saskatoon assisted in the seizure or disruption of a combined total of 1,975 kg of cocaine.
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Since starting patrols on March 4, HMCS Edmonton and Saskatoon assisted the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in disrupting illicit trafficking operations in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central and South America. Two other Royal Canadian Navy vessels, HMCS Moncton and Summerside, supported the operation in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year.
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Related Products
Some additional details on individual interdictions are available by visiting the Canadian Joint Operations Command Webpage and reading the accompanying News Stories:
Media Availability
Media will have the opportunity to conduct short interviews with the Command Teams of HMC Ships Edmonton and Saskatoon on Thursday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. To inquire for details and schedule an interview, please contact Capt Thomas Edelson no later than 5 p.m. EDT on April 20.
Contact
Captain Thomas Edelson
Public Affairs Officer
Canadian Joint Operations Command
Email: thomas.edelson@forces.gc.ca
Phone: 316-945-2936
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
Description for Infographic: Operation CARIBBE 2016
Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s participation in the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking by transnational organized crime in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The Canadian Armed Forces has conducted Operation CARIBBE since November 2006.
HMCS Summerside
Deployed from Halifax to the Caribbean Sea from February 4 to April 3.
- Total seized or disrupted: 324 kg cocaine
- Days at sea: 60
- Distance: 9384 nautical miles
HMCS Moncton
Deployed from Halifax to the Caribbean Sea from February 4 to March 29.
- Total seized or disrupted: 1524 kg marijuana
- Days at sea: 52
- Distance: 7824 nautical miles
HMCS Edmonton
Deployed from Esquimalt to the Eastern Pacific Ocean from March 4 to April 20.
- Total seized or disrupted: 1985 kg cocaine
- Days at sea: 48
- Distance: 9167 nautical miles
HMCS Saskatoon
Deployed from Esquimalt to the Eastern Pacific Ocean from March 4 to April 20.
- Total seized or disrupted: 1950 kg cocaine
- Days at sea: 48
- Distance: 9585 nautical miles
Total seized or disrupted (to date in 2016): 4259 kg cocaine, 1524 kg marijuana.
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Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military