U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $11 Million in Drugs in Gulf of Oman

January 9, 2024

First Drug Interdiction of the Year for CMF French-led Combined Task Force 150 — U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) seizes bags of illegal narcotics from a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 5. Emlen Tunnell was operating under Combined Task Force 150, one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. CTF 150 focuses on maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

MANAMA, Bahrain — The U.S. Coast Guard successfully seized approximately $11 million worth of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Jan. 5. The operation was carried out by the crew of the USCGC Emlen Tunnell, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

During the operation, the Coast Guard team confiscated 37 kilograms of heroin, 187 kilograms of methamphetamine, and five kilograms of cocaine following a search of the vessel. After the seizure, the vessel, identified as a dhow, was released and the drugs were disposed of.

The operation was supported by intelligence from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster, which had been monitoring the dhow. Additionally, information provided by a French maritime patrol aircraft assisted in tracking and intercepting the vessel.

This seizure marks the first of the year for the task force involved and continues the success following 12 drug busts in 2023 since the French took command in July. The interdiction highlights the effectiveness of international cooperation among maritime forces in combatting narcotics trafficking.