Canadian warship seizes 1,400 kilos of cocaine off Central America
A Canadian warship has seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine during an anti-drug-trafficking operation in Central America.
The crew of the coastal defence vessel HMCS Yellowknife, along with a detachment of U.S. Coast Guard officers, intercepted the drugs approximately 700 kilometres southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, last week, according to Canadian and U.S. authorities.
The cocaine, which the U.S. Coast Guard estimated to be worth US$44.2 million, was offloaded in San Diego, Calif., on Sept. 5.
The Department of National Defence referred all questions about the seizure to U.S. officials on Friday.
"I congratulate the entire crew of the Yellowknife for their successful patrol in the eastern Pacific, and I thank them for their dedicated service," U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Tim Lavier said in a statement.
"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 left Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in B.C. in early August alongside coastal defence vessel HMCS Edmonton.
The two ships, carrying approximately 75 sailors in total, were expected to remain on the Central American deployment for seven weeks.
"I would like to thank our crew onboard HMCS Yellowknife and our partners with the U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment team, who worked together to support the interdiction of 3,100 pounds of cocaine," Lt. Cmdr. Tyson Babcock, commanding officer of the HMCS Yellowknife, said in a statement through the U.S. Coast Guard.
Operation Caribbe
Last spring, HMCS Edmonton and a pair of U.S. Coast Guard ships intercepted a vessel off Mexico carrying a 755-kilogram shipment of cocaine with an estimated value of $49.5 million.
Seven people were arrested aboard the suspect vessel more than 300 kilometres off the Mexican coast. The suspects were surrendered to U.S. authorities and the seized boat, which the U.S. Coast Guard described as a "go-fast vessel," was destroyed at sea.
In February 2022, HMCS Yellowknife and its onboard U.S. law enforcement detachment responded to 21 suspected smuggling vessels, seizing and destroying more than 850 kilograms of cocaine.
Known as Operation Caribbe, the regular deployment of Canadian military ships and aircraft to Latin America began in 2006 and includes partner nations from across the region and Europe.
In 2010, the mission was expanded with a joint memorandum between the U.S. and Canada that allows American law enforcement teams to operate from Canadian warships.
The Department of National Defence estimates the longstanding operation has led to the interception of more than 123 tonnes of cocaine since it began.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP alleges Indian officials in Canada connected to extortion, homicides
The RCMP is alleging Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada engaged in clandestine activities linked to serious criminal activity in this country, including homicides and extortions.
'A threat to all of us': Eby addresses RCMP allegations Indian officials linked to Canadian homicides, extortion
B.C. NDP leader David Eby took a break from campaigning Monday to address stunning new allegations from the RCMP that Indian diplomats and consular officials are linked to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil.
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
'We apologize to anyone we've offended': Bath and Body Works pulls candles over backlash
A major American retailer has stopped selling its new winter-themed candle over backlash from shoppers who said its design resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods.
Scientists claim to solve centuries-old mystery of Christopher Columbus' origins
The 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus was a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, Spanish scientists said on Saturday, after using DNA analysis to tackle a centuries-old mystery.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
Airbnb guests east of Toronto steal quarter of a million dollars worth of jewelry: police
Four guests at an Airbnb east of Toronto made off with a quarter of million dollars worth of jewelry following their stay, police say.
Pledges to cover fertility treatment as elections play out across Canada
As provincial elections play out in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick this month, there are pledges to provide more fertility treatment coverage.
Mass shootings share 'sketchy stories,' B.C. Conservative candidate claims in resurfaced social post
Embattled B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman is under fire once again, this time for past Facebook comments casting doubt on the official accounts of mass shooting events in Canada and the U.S.