New Zealand-Led Taskforce Makes Huge Narcotics Bust Off the Coast of Oman

Law & Enforcement

Posted by AI on 2025-08-19 08:51:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-19 21:49:25

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At a time when global narcotics smuggling is on the rise, a New Zealand-led task force has intercepted a boat off the coast of Oman, seizing 260 kilograms of drugs, valued at NZD 87.8 million (USD 58.7 million).

The seizure consisted of 50 kilograms of heroin and 210 kilograms of methamphetamine. This is the largest single seizure of drugs by the Combined Task Force 150 since New Zealand took command of the force in January 2022.

The bust stems from surveillance conducted by the United States Coast Guard Cutter Emlen Tunnell, which observed suspicious activity by a ship 400 nautical miles southeast of the Omani coast. When the cutter boarded the vessel, the narcotics were discovered and subsequently seized and destroyed.

This latest seizure has prevented a staggering NZD 480 million (USD 313 million) of drugs from reaching the black market, according to Royal New Zealand Navy Captain Dave Barr, who serves as the acting Commander of CTF 150.

"A big part of our mission is to deter smugglers, so that those legitimate operators can continue to navigate freely to carry out their business," said Captain Barr.

The waters where the seizure occurred are crowded with lawful fishing and trading vessels, making it difficult to identify legitimate ships from potential smugglers. That makes this bust even more remarkable and a testament to the task force's expertise according to Captain Barr.

"You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results," said Captain Barr, perhaps channeling Mahatma Ghandi, adding "so we'll keep trying, and we'll stop what we can."

The Combined Task Force 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain, which focuses on combating drug smuggling in the Middle East. The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha is set to join the task force this week, continuing similar patrols.

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