Esquimalt-based naval ship seizes 2.5 tonnes of hash in the Indian Ocean

Last week, an Esquimalt-based naval ship seized over 2.5 tonnes of hashish in the Indian Ocean.

On April 6th, the HMCS (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Regina seized a total of 2,569 kilograms of hash off the coast of Oman.

The vessel is deployed in the area as part of Operation Artemis, Canada’s contribution to international counter-terrorism and maritime security operations in Middle Eastern and East African waters.

The drugs were seized after the HMCS Regina spotted a suspicious fishing vessel (a dhow) and stopped the boat to investigate further.

The Regina then deployed its Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG) team, one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s advanced boarding operations team, to search the dhow.

Inside the fishing vessel, officials discovered 119 bags of hashish hidden inside the ship’s ice hold. The narcotics were then transferred to the HMCS REgina where it was destroyed.

“Had CTF 150 not intervened, the hashish would have been sold locally, or in other markets, with the profits benefitting organized crime networks and terrorist organizations,” said Commodore Darren Garnier of the Royal Canadian Navy in a release.

This operation marked the first seizure for the HMCS Regina, which joined Operation Artemis only two weeks ago.

“This seizure is a testament to the months of hard work HMCS Regina has conducted in preparation for our operational deployment,” said Commander Jacob French, the HMCS Regina’s Commanding Officer in a statement.”

“I’m very proud of the professionalism of our NTOG team, as well as our entire ship’s company. It was an all-ship effort and we are all proud to contribute to the disruption of the trade of illegal narcotics and in promoting a safer maritime environment in the region.”