U.S. Navy in Middle East Seizes $39 Million in Drugs
17 May 2022
From NAVCENT Public Affairs, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet
MANAMA, Bahrain – A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer seized 640 kilograms of methamphetamine worth $39 million from a fishing vessel while patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Oman, May 15-16.
A U.S. Coast Guard interdiction team from USS Momsen (DDG 92) discovered the illegal narcotics during a flag verification boarding in accordance with international law. The confiscated drugs and fishing vessel remain in U.S. custody.
The vessel’s nine crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals and will be transferred to a regional nation for repatriation.
Momsen was operating in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, one of four task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces. The international naval force has increased regional patrols to locate and disrupt unlawful maritime activity.
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3033840/us-navy-in-middle-east-seizes-39-million-in-drugs/
