OTTAWA -
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Glace Bay recovered 97 bales of cocaine during a patrol in the Caribbean Basin, as part of Operation CARIBBE, on March 15, 2014.
Quick Facts
- HMCS Glace Bay, in cooperation with her embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (USCG LEDET), identified a suspect fishing vessel while patrolling the Caribbean Sea. The USCG LEDET boarded the vessel but did not find contraband onboard.
- The fishing vessel caught fire and the USCG LEDET disembarked six crewmembers from their vessel after the fire spread from the engine room to the fuel tank causing the vessel to sink.
- A subsequent search of the general area located approximately 97 bales containing approximately 2,400 kilograms of cocaine – worth an estimated $80 million wholesale - floating in the water.
- This marks HMCS Glace Bay’s first case involving an illicit narcotics shipment since beginning her participation on Operation CARIBBE earlier this month.
- Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s support to Operation MARTILLO – a multinational, joint, combined, and interagency effort by the nations of the Western Hemisphere and Europe to prevent illicit trafficking in the Caribbean basin, the eastern Pacific Ocean and the littoral waters of Central America.
Quotes
“I commend the crew of HMCS Glace Bay, whose diligent work with our partner nations is assisting in the successful disruption of narcotics that could otherwise arrive on North American shores, and on our streets.
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence
“The disruption of an illicit drug shipment destined for North American communities, by HMCS Glace Bay and her crew, is a tangible result that will be felt by Canada and its allies, and something that we can all be proud of.”
Lieutenant-General Stuart Beare, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command
“It’s the persistence, dedication, and ongoing collaboration with our partners that enabled the ship’s company of HMCS Glace Bay to successfully assist in seizing illegal narcotics on this operation.”
Lieutenant-Commander Victoria DeVita, Commanding Officer of HMCS Glace Bay
src:news.gc.ca