The crew of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) patrol ship HMCS Harry DeWolf successfully assisted a US Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) in conducting a seizure of 750 kg of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, March 1.
Sailing in support of Operation Caribbe, Harry DeWolf is supporting international efforts to prevent the flow of illicit substances into Canada and North America.
This operation, supported by Colombian air and maritime assets, resulted in the seizure of cocaine with an estimated street value of CA$26.9 million (US$18.8 million).
Operation Caribbe began in November 2006 and is part of the broader US-led Operation Martillo. In 2010, Canada and the US signed a memorandum of understanding allowing USCG LEDETs to operate from RCN ships and aircraft during Operation Caribbe.
The Canadian Armed Forces said embarking USCG LEDETs on RCN ships during Operation Caribbe allows personnel to better support the multi-national counter-narcotics effort.
Operation Caribbe involves the deployment of RCN ships and Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft to detect and monitor illicit trafficking activities in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.