Latest news with #NewZealand-led
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
New Zealand-Led Navies Conclude Counter Narcotics Operations In Middle East Waters
The New Zealand-led Combined Maritime Task Force 150 (CTF 150) has concluded counter narcotics operations in the Middle East. Over the six-month period of command from the Royal New Zealand Navy's Commodore Rodger Ward, ships operating in direct support to CTF 150 conducted 55 boardings. The boardings resulted in the seizure and destruction of 7 tonnes of narcotics with a combined street value of more than NZ$1.8 billion. CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) based in Bahrain and is focussed on maritime security in the Middle East, in particular the disruption of drug smuggling operations. The New Zealand-led team was supported by personnel from the militaries of Australia, Canada, India, Singapore and the United States, which contributed members to the headquarters. 'The strength of the CMF is the 46 nations working together with a common aim of enhancing and upholding the rules-based international system,' Commodore Ward said. 'In particular ensuring the freedom of the global maritime commons, the waters which allow our trade to flow safely from nation to nation. 'Our mission was anchored by four objectives: whakapono (trusted partners), mahi tahi (working together), kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and he heremana tatou (we are sailors). We based all of our operations and activities on these and they ensured that we got the most out of this opportunity.' During the six-month period, CTF 150 conducted more boardings than over similar periods in previous years but found fewer drugs. 'The evidence of our success is not just the amount of drugs we interdicted,' Commodore Ward said. 'Our engagement with partners across the region indicates that the amount of narcotics we disrupted could be as much as three times that. CMF is focused on countering this illicit activity and the smugglers know that.' Commodore Ward said he was proud of what the 26-strong multinational staff were able to achieve. 'We can all go home happy with the fruits of our labours.' HMNZS Te Kaha was assigned to CTF 150 for a period of two months before leaving the region, and conducted a significant number of boardings during that time. The intelligence collected also resulted in the disruption of further smuggling operations.
South Wales Guardian
31-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Navy warship seizes £30m of drugs in Middle East
HMS Lancaster deployed its Wildcat helicopter to oversee the operation involving a boarding team from 42 Commando which seized 80 packages of narcotics. A Royal Navy spokesman said the haul was made up of 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated £30 million on UK streets. He said: 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones – mini-helicopters which conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room – have played a vital part in the success.' Lancaster's commanding officer, Commander Chris Chew, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets. 'Whether they come in the form of her Wildcat, our uncrewed air system Peregrine, embarked intelligence team or her Royal Marine boarding team, they delivered on operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.' Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
£30m worth of drugs seized by Royal Navy in Middle East operation
A Royal Navy frigate seized drugs worth £30 million in a significant operation in the Middle East. HMS Lancaster stalked a drug-runner's boat in the Arabian Sea for more than 24 hours after the illegal operations were spotted by the warship's drones. It deployed its Wildcat helicopter to oversee the operation involving a boarding team from 42 Commando which seized 80 packages of narcotics. A Royal Navy spokesman said the haul was made up of 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish and 6kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated £30 million on UK streets. He said: 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task force spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones – mini-helicopters that conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room – have played a vital part in the success.' Chris Chew, Lancaster's commanding officer, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets. 'Whether they come in the form of her Wildcat, our uncrewed air system Peregrine, embarked intelligence team or her Royal Marine boarding team, they delivered on operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.' Luke Pollard, the Armed Forces minister, said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.' In March, the Royal Navy used drones for the first time in a drug bust when HMS Lancaster intercepted smugglers in the Indian Ocean who were trying to move 3.7 tons of heroin, hashish and crystal meth. Royal Marines on board HMS Lancaster located the drug smugglers after Peregrine remote-controlled mini-helicopters were launched from the flight deck. The drones are so-called because they aim to mimic the tactics of peregrine falcons, which scan for their prey at altitude. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
North Wales Chronicle
30-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Royal Navy warship seizes £30m of drugs in Middle East
HMS Lancaster deployed its Wildcat helicopter to oversee the operation involving a boarding team from 42 Commando which seized 80 packages of narcotics. A Royal Navy spokesman said the haul was made up of 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated £30 million on UK streets. He said: 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones – mini-helicopters which conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room – have played a vital part in the success.' Lancaster's commanding officer, Commander Chris Chew, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets. 'Whether they come in the form of her Wildcat, our uncrewed air system Peregrine, embarked intelligence team or her Royal Marine boarding team, they delivered on operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.' Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
Powys County Times
30-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Royal Navy warship seizes £30m of drugs in Middle East
A Royal Navy frigate has seized drugs worth £30 million after stalking the drug-runner's boat for more than 24 hours in the Arabian Sea after the illegal operations were spotted by the warship's drones. HMS Lancaster deployed its Wildcat helicopter to oversee the operation involving a boarding team from 42 Commando which seized 80 packages of narcotics. A Royal Navy spokesman said the haul was made up of 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated £30 million on UK streets. He said: 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones – mini-helicopters which conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room – have played a vital part in the success.' Lancaster's commanding officer, Commander Chris Chew, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets. 'Whether they come in the form of her Wildcat, our uncrewed air system Peregrine, embarked intelligence team or her Royal Marine boarding team, they delivered on operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.' Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
