A U.S. Coast Guard interdiction team from USS Momsen (DDG 92) seized nearly 39M USD worth of methamphetamine from a fishing vessel while conducting a flag verification boarding, in accordance with international maritime law. The nine crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals and have been detained until they can be transported to a nearby consulate for repatriation. As the intersection team approached, the crew members attempted to throw 60 bales of narcotics overboard.

The vessel was intercepted while traveling in international waters. However the Momsen was patrolling the area due to it being a heavily trafficked route used by drug smugglers and criminals.

According to the CTF Press release:

“CTF 150 has conducted nine successful drug seizures in 2022, resulting in the confiscation of heroin, methamphetamine, amphetamine pills and hashish worth a combined value of $130 million. The Combined Maritime Forces is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. The organization includes 34 nations and is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.”