The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have wrapped up the 2018 edition of Operation CARIBBE and successfully disrupted the trafficking of approximately 17,000 kg of narcotics.

“The success of Operation CARIBBE demonstrates what the Canadian Armed Forces can accomplish when we work with our American partners to undermine criminal entities from distributing narcotics to our communities. The quantity seized this year is significant and a testament to the hard work of our members deployed on this important mission.”

Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

"This 'Cycle of Justice' disrupts a 'Cycle of Crime,' which left unchecked, fuels violence and instability that corrodes our Hemisphere's social and economic fabric. I stand here today, alongside our Royal Canadian Navy partners, resolved in a shared commitment to protect those threatened by criminals and bring to justice those engaging in these nefarious act."

Vice Admiral Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area commander

• Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s participation in the multinational US-led campaign to detect and interdict the illicit trafficking of drugs.

• Since Operation CARIBBE commenced in 2006 with the US Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have contributed to the seizure of 102.7 metric tons of cocaine and of 6.7 metric tons of marijuana.

• Spring deployment (February to June 2018)

  • Both HMCS Whitehorse and Edmonton (February-April) and one CP-140 Aurora (May-June) conducted patrols in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Operation CARIBBE 2018 to provide surveillance in direct support to JIATF-S. They assisted the US Coast Guard (USCG) in disrupting approximately 5000 kg of cocaine.

• Fall deployment (October to December 2018)

  • Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Edmonton, Nanaimo and Moncton, along with the CP-140 Aurora aircraft, worked with their US partners in interdicting over 12,000 kg of cocaine. Their efforts kept an estimated value of $405 million (US) of drugs off of the streets.
    • Several CP-140 Aurora Long Range Patrol aircraft provided surveillance in direct support of the US JIATF-S and assisted the USCG with the disruption of approximately 3500 kg of cocaine in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
    • HMCS Edmonton assisted the USCG in the disruption of approximately 8700 kg of cocaine in the eastern Pacific Ocean. HMCS Edmonton has the second highest interdiction totals ever for an individual unit since Canada started participating in 2006. 

• Annual Yield for 2018

  • The CAF has wrapped up its 2018 edition of Operation CARIBBE and successfully disrupted the trafficking of approximately 17,000 kg of narcotics.

Associated links

• Operation CARIBBE webpage
• Operation CARIBBE on Forces Images
• Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels
• CP-140 Aurora

Media Relations Office
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca