CMF's Task Force 150 Scores Landmark Drug Bust Under New Zealand Leadership

A significant drug interdiction has been achieved by the USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145), marking a milestone for Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. Since New Zealand took the helm on January 15, this seizure of 2,357 kg of hashish is the first of its kind.

The operation unfolded when the cutter’s boarding team discovered and seized the substantial quantity of narcotics. Meticulous efforts went into weighing, documenting, and safely disposing of the illegal drugs.

Commodore Rodger Ward, leading CTF 150, praised the collaborative nature of this operation. “Our command acts as a small yet vital component in a broader system aimed at curbing illicit trafficking,” Ward stated. He underscored the joint endeavor involving 46 nations within the Combined Maritime Forces.

Emphasizing the significance of these operations, Ward noted each bust reduces the financial lifelines of terrorist groups. “We’re here to enhance maritime security and support the international rules-based order,” he affirmed.

The Emlen Tunnell operates out of Bahrain, serving as part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission in the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). Units like the Emlen Tunnell join forces with other naval entities across the Middle East.

CTF 150 forms one of the five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, a global naval partnership. Its mission focuses on thwarting non-state actors from transporting illegal arms, drugs, and substances through strategic waterways including the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.

The broader Combined Maritime Forces coalition of 46 countries plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and stability of over 3.2 million square miles of vital maritime routes.