An Esquimalt-based warship seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine in an anti-drug-trafficking operation off the coast of Central America.
The crew from HMCS Yellowknife and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team intercepted the drug shipments about 700 kilometres southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.
The haul of cocaine was worth an estimated $44.2 million US and was offloaded in San Diego on Sept.5, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
“I congratulate the entire crew of the Yellowknife for their successful patrol in the Eastern Pacific, and I thank them for their dedicated service,” said Capt. Tim Lavier, 11th Coast Guard District chief of response.
“Deploying a coast guard law enforcement team aboard a Canadian Navy ship in the Eastern Pacific is a significant showcase of the strong relationship we have built with our Canadian partners.”
HMCS Yellowknife along with HMCS Edmonton, with a combined 75 sailors, left Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Aug. 12 for a seven-week assignment to fight the illicit drug trade as part of Operation Caribbe.
The mission with the U.S. Coast Guard is to track and intercept vessels of interest to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and goods from South America to the Caribbean and North America.
Canadian crew boarded the vessels with U.S. tactical teams.
Lt.-Cmdr. Tyson Babcock, commanding officer, thanked HMCS Yellowknife crew members and the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team for their work on the drug interception.
He said members of the Canadian Navy were proud to contribute to the multinational efforts to address illegal trafficking “to impede the flow of illicit drugs and improve the safety and security of North America, the Caribbean and South America.”
