Posted on 05/27/2005 2:39:20 PM PDT by Calpernia
NORTH ARABIAN SEA –A coalition effort involving ships from Commander Task Force (CTF) 150, under the Coalition Forces Maritime Component Command, led to the seizure of more than 4,200 pounds of hashish here in international waters May 20.
Guided missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) had been tracking the motor vessel Al Naveed before boarding the vessel. The boarding team discovered the drugs hidden behind a false bulkhead.
Kauffman is deployed in the region to conduct maritime security operations (MSO). MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
MSO pressurize the maritime environment by using coalition ships to detect, deter and deny illegal use of the high seas. Kauffman is stationed in the Arabian Sea as a part of this coalition effort. Because the ship was in the area, Kauffman was able to rapidly respond to the actionable intelligence and began tracking the Al Naveed in conjunction with the German frigate FGS Karlsruhe.
“This is a mission our sailors have prepared for extensively throughout the pre-deployment work-up cycle, said Cmdr. Kenneth Krogman, Kauffman’s commanding officer. “The entire ship’s team, especially the boarding team, performed professionally and executed this mission in textbook fashion. It’s a great feeling to have prevented these drugs from reaching their destination.”
The drugs were confiscated and transferred to the Kauffman. Coalition forces will transfer Al Naveed for follow-on disposition by the appropriate legal authorities. An agent from Naval Criminal Investigative Service provided investigative assistance. All evidence, including the drugs, will be handed over to the appropriate authorities to assist their prosecution of this case.
“It’s an honor to be part of the international coalition that performs this important mission. A German frigate [FGS Karlsruhe] and her helicopter assisted in tracking the vessel prior to the boarding. We couldn’t have remained on station without the services of a British oiler to refuel us. [This] is truly an international effort from where I stand,” said Krogman. The naval task force has operated here for roughly four years and is well familiar with its 2.5 million square miles of water.
Kauffman has conducted numerous queries and boardings since arriving on station in the region to conduct MSO. This was by far its most rewarding boarding to date.
Once the boarding team spotted what appeared to be a false bulkhead with hidden cargo behind it, they investigated further. The crew gained access to the hidden cargo and discovered 96 large bags of hashish with a total weight of more than 4,200 pounds.
“The success of this boarding is due to a combination of effective training, intel support and the skills of my 14 highly motivated boarding team members,” said Lt. j.g. John J. Sheridan, the initial boarding officer on the scene.
“Denying drug runners, those engaged in human smuggling, pirates, and terrorists the ability to use the high seas is the reason we are here,” said Krogman. “We executed that mission safely and efficiently with great results. It is something that every ship in this coalition force is prepared to do.
“The discovery of such a great quantity of drugs and knowing that their sale has been prevented really puts a bounce in the step of my entire crew. It is a great way to recharge everyone’s batteries in the middle of a deployment and maintain focus on this very important mission. I couldn’t be more proud of our Sailors right now. They performed superbly.”
Kauffman deployed from Norfolk, Va., March 25, as part of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and has been assigned to CTF-150 since arriving to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility.
For further questions, please contact Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs Office at 011-973-1785-4027 or pao@cusnc.navy.mil.
Guided missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) had been tracking the motor vessel Al Naveed before boarding the vessel. The boarding team discovered the drugs hidden behind a false bulkhead.
Thank you for pointing out this press release Cindy
fun time in town tonight
My question: if this bust went down in international waters, exactly who ARE the appropriate authorities in the case?
Any sea-lawyers out there?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1411932/posts?page=7#7
Biglook might have some insight on that.
Oh, you're so welcome Calpernia and may there be many press releases just like that!
Rounding up the bad guys ~ Bump!
We oughta impound these vessels and turn them over to the Iraqi and Afghan governments for whatever purpose they deem.
"We oughta impound these vessels and turn them over to the Iraqi and Afghan governments for whatever purpose they deem."
Great suggestion. I was about to suggest using them for target practice/
I made a necessary correction to your comment:
"Beware of those who want to bring our soldiers and sailors back to patrol the Mexican border in order to keep Mexican laborers illegal aliens out."
Why should we beware of those who want to keep foreign lawbreakers out of the United States? Do you condone foreigners violating our laws?
Agree completely.
The person in question is one of the "FR Open Border Lobbists".
The country that registered the ship could pull her skipper's ticket. Court battles over whether the company that owns the ship could be implicated.
Smuggling doesn't have lading papers for destination or port of origin.
I'll defer to the Coast Guard on this one, Tonk.
Guru, you got a shooting solution?
"Contraband seized in international waters? Who would be the proper authorities to turn the stuff over to for prosecution?"
Navy off shore, Coast Guard within?
BUT Coast Guard Cutters go offshore a lot?
The US Attorney?
Good question.
Thanks for the ping!
Unfortunately, it looks as if bayourod is completely beyond redemption.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.