INTERROGATION OF SUSPECTED AL QAEDA...LEADS U.S. AND AUSTRALIAN NAVIES TO SEIZE MORE DRUGS

CENTCOM ^ | Jan. 2, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

January 2, 2004
Release Number: 04-01-05


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


INTERROGATION OF SUSPECTED AL QAEDA AFFILIATES LEADS U.S. AND AUSTRALIAN NAVIES TO SEIZE MORE DRUGS

ABOARD USS PELELIU, At Sea (1 JAN 2004) – Fifteen individuals were detained and an estimated 2,800 pounds of hashish (approximately $11 million street value) was seized by U.S. and coalition maritime forces following the interception of a dhow in the North Arabian Sea.

These forces were operating in international waters in the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of expanded Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) designed to deny use of the seas by terrorists under the auspices of the Global War on Terrorism.

This interception is the third in two weeks by coalition maritime forces. USS Decatur (DDG 73) detained a dhow and its 12 crewmembers and seized upward of $10 million in hashish Dec. 15; USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) detained two dhows and their 21 crewmembers and seized 95 pounds of heroin and 50 to 100 pounds of methamphetamines Dec. 20. Of the total 33 crewmembers originally detained in those interceptions, 10 have been transferred to a secure, undisclosed facility for further questioning by U.S. officials. These 10 were transferred after initial interrogations revealed possible al Qaeda affiliations deemed noteworthy enough to pursue further. Intelligence gained from those interrogations and documents discovered onboard the detained dhows led to this third operation. The remaining 23 crewmembers have been turned over to officials of a country in the region.

“Many terror organizations have been assessed to use drug money to fund their operations,” said Vice Adm. David C. Nichols, Jr., Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet. “It is easy to see how al Qaeda could use this money making network to fund their operations,” Nichols continued.

No one was injured in the boarding.

Following indications that the dhow was involved in smuggling activities, an Australian P-3 located and tracked the dhow as U.S. Naval forces prepared for the interception. USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Port Royal (CG 73) and USS Germantown (LSD 42), as well as elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducted the interception. Boarding teams discovered the hashish underneath blocks of ice and in hidden compartments.

The U.S. units are assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group 1, a new U.S. Navy task force that integrates amphibious warships and Marines with a Tomahawk missile-capable cruiser and destroyer, a frigate and a fast attack submarine.

The 15 detained crewmembers are currently aboard U.S. warships awaiting further screening by U.S. officials. Potential detainee connections to al Qaeda or other terrorist groups will be investigated.

“This mission was perfectly suited to our capabilities,” Rear Adm. Bob Conway, Jr., Commander, ESG1, said. “We are designed to provide combatant commanders the flexibility to conduct operations across the spectrum of conflict. The immediate nature of this tasking challenged our ability to locate and intercept the dhow on short notice,” Conway said.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

ABOARD USS PELELIU, At Sea (1 JAN 2004) – Fifteen individuals were detained and an estimated 2,800 pounds of hashish (approximately $11 million street value) was seized by U.S. and coalition maritime forces following the interception of a dhow in the North Arabian Sea.

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[bereanway]

More evidence of the true face of the ROP. I guess for the non-Muzzle with no shot at 72 virgins the next best thing is to live out life in a drug induced fog.

[CWOJackson]

On target!

[Recovering_Democrat]

I just hope they didn't shoot a gun near him and scare the poor dear.

<\SARCASM>

[Uncle Miltie]

Gives new meaning to the phrase: "Dhow Jones."

Usage: "I'll bet the intended recipients of that has shipment are Dhow Jonesing about now."

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040101-N-2295R-002 North Arabian Sea (Jan. 1, 2004) – Boarding teams from USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG 1) take a dhow, under tow following seizure of the vessel which was carrying over 2,800 pounds of narcotics, believed to be hashish. The vessel was seized and its 15 crewmembers were detained after being tracked and intercepted by U.S. and coalition forces. Port Royal and the 13th MEU (SOC) are assigned to ESG 1 deployed to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility on a regularly scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo)

040101-N-2295R-006 North Arabian Sea (Jan 1, 2004) – Boarding teams from USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG 1) seized over 2,800 pounds of narcotics, believed to be hashish upon inspection of a dhow suspected of drug trafficking. The narcotics were stored in 50 to 100 pound bags and were during an inspection uncovered by U.S. boarding teams. Port Royal and the 13th MEU (SOC) are assigned to ESG 1 deployed to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility on a regularly scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the pics!

Related, AP: Navy Seizes Boat With $11M in Hashish

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[whizzer]

BUMP!!

[McGavin999]

Wonder if the folks around here who oppose the war on drugs have figured it out yet?

[blackie]

INTERROGATION OF SUSPECTED AL QAEDA...LEADS U.S. AND AUSTRALIAN NAVIES TO SEIZE MORE DRUGS ~ Bump!

Cut the flow of money to terroists and they wither on the vine!

The democrats are sad ~ very sad!

[DannyTN]

"Wonder if the folks around here who oppose the war on drugs have figured it out yet?"

They are probably still whining about those ads that said drug use supports terrorism.

[Pro-Bush]

...I can see that happening!

[Urbane_Guerilla]

Hope the people around here who support the war on drugs have figured it out.

By artificially boosting the cost of getting high into the exorbitant range, the government makes illegal drugs the golden goose for terrorists and criminals all over the world.

[radu]

BUMP!

[windchime]

Bump!