HMCS Summerside assists with the seizure of more than 300 kilograms of cocaine on March 7, 2016, while patroling off the coast of Nicaragua while participating in Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s contribution to the multinational campaign against transnational criminal organizations in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. (PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HMCS SUMMERSIDE)
HMC Ships Summerside and Saskatoon assisted in the seizure of almost 700 kg of cocaine while on patrol in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean while participating on Operation CARIBBE.
The interception involving Summerside took place on March 7, 2016, in international waters off the coast of Nicaragua when the ship located and approached a 12-metre long sailing vessel suspected of smuggling. Members of a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked in Summerside questioned the master and subsequently boarded the vessel. During the search, the team discovered and seized 16 bales weighing 324 kg that later tested positive for cocaine.
During the evening of March 19, 2016, the crew of Saskatoon, its embarked USCG LEDET, and a U.S. Maritime Patrol Aircraft were conducting a routine patrol monitoring targets of interest in international waters off the coast of Central America. One of the vessels being monitored, a panga style fishing boat, jettisoned its cargo and fled at high speed. Once on scene, crew members of Saskatoon and the LEDET found and retrieved 10 bales of cocaine from the water, with a combined weight of approximately 360 kg.
Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s contribution to Operation MARTILLO – the multinational campaign against transnational criminal organizations in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
“The Royal Canadian Navy continues to provide an important contribution to the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime in South and Central America. By working with our partner nations to disrupt criminal activity, we not only bring security to the region, but also strengthen our international partnerships, and protect Canadians and Canadian interests,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
“This success belongs to the ship’s company as well as the members of the United States Coast Guard we embarked for this operation. After patrolling these waters together for more than a month and 5000 nautical miles, it’s satisfying to know we’ve contributed to helping keep these drugs off our streets,” said LCdr Paul Smith, Commanding Officer HMCS Summerside. “This specific evolution exemplified an excellent coordination of assigned assets. Now that we have our first seizure under our belt, we will use lessons identified to improve tactics, techniques, and procedures to improve interoperability with our partners and enhance our efficiency for future cases, ” said LCdr Todd Bacon, Commanding Officer HMCS Saskatoon.
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