Kiwi-led drug op seizes $2.59m of hash

French Marine Nationale frigate FS Languedoc crew with the proceeds of the 20 September seizure of illicit drugs from a vessel in the Indian Ocean. Photo: FS Languedoc.

The Royal New Zealand Navy-led counter-narcotics operation outside the Arabian Gulf has had a second major drug seizure in a week.

French Marine Nationale frigate FS Languedoc, operating in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Kiwi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), conducted a second intercept of a vessel in the Indian Ocean on Monday.

It resulted in the confiscation of 3600 kilograms of hash, valued at $US1.8 million ($NZ2.59m).

It follows its intercept and search of another vessel seven days earlier, when the frigate seized more than 1,525 kilograms of hash and 166 kilograms of methamphetamine with a combined value of more than $US5.2m.

Royal New Zealand Navy Captain Brendon Clark says with the abatement of the southwestern monsoon season, the CTF-150 is observing an increase in narcotics trafficking through the CMF area of operations.

'For the second time in a week, the French frigate Languedoc has demonstrated her expertise and professionalism in seizing a large volume of narcotics that would have otherwise been destined for market with the funds from the sale being used to fund terrorism and criminal activity,” he says.

'The continued commitment and contribution of a French Marine Nationale Frigate to CTF 150 ensures mission success.”

Criminal and terrorist organisations use the proceeds of sales of narcotics to obtain weapons, ammunitions and equipment and for training for criminal and terrorist activities.

CTF 150 is one of three task forces of the CMF. Its mission is to disrupt criminal and terrorist organisations and their illicit activities, including the movement of people, weapons, narcotics and charcoal.

CTF 150 conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf to ensure that legitimate commercial shipping can occur freely.

The CMF is a multinational maritime partnership of 34 nations.

It exists to uphold international rules-based order by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity across abouty 8.3 million square kilometres of international waters encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes.

The New Zealand-led multinational team took over command of CTF 150 from Canada earlier this year. The NZDF will command and staff the CTF 150 until early 2022.

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5 comments

3,600 kgs

Posted on 07-10-2021 10:11 | By Mein Fuhrer

of the worlds best and most effective cure for cancer, High grade THC, scientifically proven to kill tumors, but no we carry on poisoning them with chemo drugs.


@Mein Fuhrer

Posted on 07-10-2021 12:24 | By Bob Landy

Neither cannabis nor high grade THC cures cancer. Although high doses of THC can kill cancer cells, they also harm crucial blood vessel cells and under some circumstances, cannabinoids can encourage cancer cells to grow. The bottom line is that right now there isn’t enough reliable evidence to prove that any form of cannabis can effectively treat cancer in patients.


@Mein Fuhrer

Posted on 07-10-2021 12:50 | By morepork

An interesting viewpoint. Can you provide some links that support your argument? THC has always been controversial, but I'd be interested to know if recent research has discovered anything definitive. "killing tumours" is an emotive claim that really needs credible evidence to back it up.


Go Kiwis!

Posted on 07-10-2021 12:51 | By morepork

Maybe, when they finish over there, we could use their obvious expertise to clean up our own back yard...


@Bob Landy

Posted on 08-10-2021 13:36 | By morepork

Thanks for your balanced and informative comment.


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