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)