HMCS Whitehorse assists US Coast Guard in second significant drug seizure

News Release

Packages of seized cocaine lie stacked on the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell. The drugs were recovered from a suspected smuggling vessel in the Pacific drug transit zone off the coast of Central and South America in late March, 2015. (Credit: U.S. Coast Guard photo)

OTTAWA – Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Whitehorse assisted the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the interception of more than 600 kg of cocaine in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of El Salvador as part of Operation CARIBBE in late March.

Quick Facts

HMCS Whitehorse actively assisted USCG Cutter Boutwell in the pursuit and subsequent interception of a vessel of interest in the Pacific drug transit zone. Once on scene, crew members from USCG Cutter Boutwell retrieved 15 bales of cocaine – weighing more than 600 kg – from the water surrounding the vessel.
This is the second significant narcotics interception for HMCS Whitehorse this year on Operation CARIBBE. On March 6th, the ship’s crew, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and in support of the USCG, assisted in the seizure of approximately 5284 kg of cocaine off the coast of Costa Rica.
The seizure could not be divulged until now to avoid jeopardizing the investigation into the matter.
Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s contribution to Operation MARTILLO – a multinational, joint, combined, and interagency effort by the nations of the Western Hemisphere and Europe to prevent illicit trafficking in the Caribbean basin, the eastern Pacific Ocean and the littoral waters of Central America.
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) assets deployed on Operation CARIBBE act in a support role. While operating in international waters, their tasks are to locate, track, and approach suspect vessels. USCG Law Enforcement Detachment personnel embarked on Royal Canadian Navy ships may further proceed to board and conduct law enforcement operations.

Bales of seized cocaine lie stacked on the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell. The drugs were recovered from a suspected smuggling vessel in the Pacific drug transit zone off the coast of Central and South America in late March, 2015 (Credit: U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Quotes

“Thank you to the crew of HMCS Whitehorse for their commitment and dedication to keeping Canada safe, and for helping to prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs. Their work has been instrumental in blocking the import of thousands of kilograms of cocaine to North America.”
Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“The involvement of HMCS Whitehorse in this significant seizure is indicative of our commitment to working with partners in deterring transnational criminal activity. We remain diligent in our preparations and steadfast in conducting operations.”
Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

“Strong partners operating as one is a key to stopping smugglers, whether in the Pacific drug transit zone off Central and South America or elsewhere. The Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Navy sailors are such strong partners and we share North American security objectives with them. Their participation improves our reach and effectiveness, allowing us to bring down the transnational criminal organizations behind this deadly and corrosive enterprise."
Rear Admiral Joseph Servidio, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard 11th District

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre Hon. Jason Kenney National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military

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2016-12-14

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HMCS Whitehorse assists US Coast Guard in second significant drug seizure

News Release

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