NZ-led naval taskforce in Middle East makes first drug bust of year
A New Zealand-led naval task force in the Middle East has made its first drug bust of the year.
11 February, 2025
Working as a part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Emlen Tunnell was last week patrolling off the coast of Oman when crew observed a suspicious dhow transiting a well-known drug smuggling route.
The boarding team conducted a search of the vessel and discovered 2357kg of hashish on board.
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Commodore Rodger Ward is the Commander of CTF 150, a role he took up last month.
“Our command is a small cog in a system focused on interdicting illicit trafficking on the high seas. This is a team effort and this bust would not have been possible without the support of the 47 nations which make up the Combined Maritime Force.”
“We are very pleased to have achieved our first successful bust after only a few weeks in command.
Every bust we make reduces the flow of finances to terrorist organisations. This is why we’re here, to contribute to maritime security and protect the international rules based system.
A boarding team from United States Coast Guard cutter Emlen Tunnell board a suspicious dhow in the Arabian Sea to seize and destroy 2357kg of hashish.
HMNZS Te Kaha will depart Auckland this week to join the task force. During its deployment it will be conducting similar patrols and carrying out boarding operations in direct support to CTF 150 as a part of New Zealand’s commitment to collective security efforts in the Middle East region.
CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain and is focussed on maritime security in the Middle East Region in particular the disruption of drug smuggling operations.