HMCS St. John's supports counter-narcotic operation

Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) St. John's helped recover a drug cargo from a scuttled self-propelled semi-submersible vessel while deployed on Operation Caribbe in the international waters of the Caribbean Basin from Oct. 3 to Nov. 14, 2011.

The recovery effort included the deployment of the FBI laboratory's technical dive team, based in Quantico, Virginia., which conducted dive operations on the scuttled semi-submersible vessel from United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Cypress. More than 6, 700 kg of cocaine was recovered from the vessel. The drugs, destined for distribution in North America, had an estimated street value of US$180 million.

Throughout the recovery operation, St. John's provided medical evacuation (MEDEVACs) support to the technical dive team while they conducted the nine-day operation. The ship was called upon to assist a sailor from USCGC Cypress who required immediate MEDEVAC by the CH-124 Sea King helicopter to a hospital in the region.

Op Caribbe also involved Her Majesty's Canadian Ships Athabaskan, Algonquin, and the submarine Corner Brook, and as well as ship-borne CH-124 Sea King helicopters and CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft.

"I am very proud of the close relationship our sailors and air crews have developed and maintain with our U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard counterparts in keeping dangerous drugs off North American streets," said Lieutenant-General Walt Semianiw, commander Canada Command. "At sea and in the air, their skills and professionalism are highly valued and serve to warn illegal drug traffickers that their activities are under constant surveillance by allied forces."

Operation Caribbe is Canada's contribution to an ongoing U.S.-led, multi-national effort to interdict drug trafficking in the international waters of the Caribbean Basin and eastern Pacific Ocean. HMCS St. John's provided surveillance support to help law enforcement authorities locate and interdict possible drug traffickers.

"Canada is committed to working alongside our military allies and bringing our combined efforts to bear against those who would smuggle illicit drugs into North America," said Defence Minister Peter MacKay. "Our participation in joint operations such as Op CARIBBE demonstrate our Government's resolve to rid our communities of this threat to public safety."

As part of the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF(S)) team, St. John's worked alongside partner nations France, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States and also embarked a United States Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, a team of experts in maritime law enforcement and counter-narcotic operations.

"HMCS St. John's easily integrated into the [interagency] team," said Commander Jamie Clarke, commanding officer of HMCS St. John's. "We made meaningful contributions to this operation, while working with several different nations and their government agencies to keep illicit drugs of North American streets."

During St. John's deployment, the U.S. Coast Guard made 38 arrests, and seized a total of 10,902 kg of cocaine and 1144 kg of marijuana, equating to more than US$223 million.

Canada is a major player in the Drug wars especially on the high seas.

Todays Video was sent to me by Wayne Flaherty a fellow apprentice and proud Canadian. Enjoy,

http://dotsub.com/media/b5ee5ada-5b37-4b0b-9916-e0896337ec4b/embed/eng

PLEASE Say a prayer or have a thought for our Troops their families and indeed for our Veterans. Some of whom may be residing on the cold streets of Canada.

Nil Sine Labore

Robby