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Coalition forces, operating as part of the Bahrain-based Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, have seized approximately 10 tons of narcotics with an estimated value of $70 million.
A US Navy maritime patrol aircraft and a British warship located and tracked the vessel before the crew from the ship boarded it approximately 150 miles southeast of Oman.
The drug seizure is the largest by coalition naval forces this year from a vessel operating along the so-called 'Hash Highway' and sailors destroyed large quantities of narcotics.
The drugs could have helped to fund the insurgency fighting coalition forces in Afghanistan as well as to contribute to instability in the region.
"The seizure of these drugs takes money out of the hands of those financing terrorists in the region," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, Combined Maritime Forces. "The smugglers need to know that coalition forces are patrolling the seas and skies above.
"These efforts send a message to all would-be smugglers that we are here and we won't tolerate drug trafficking in international waters."
This year CTF 150 forces have seized more than 18 tons of narcotics. Last year, CTF 150 seized more than 53 tons of narcotics.
CTF 150 is a multi-national task force that that conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in and around the Arabian Sea, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
The Task Force was created to counter terrorism, prevent smuggling and deter other destabilising activities to develop security in the maritime environment and create a lawful maritime order.
