La Fayette-class frigate SURCOUF of the French Navy captured more than two tons of hashish
May 26th - During a regular EUNAVFOR patrol to provide maritime security off the coast of Oman, La Fayette-class frigate SURCOUF of the French Navy captured more than two tons of narcotics.
The French warship was in direct support to EUNAVFOR under the command of the FHQ on board the ATALANTA Flagship ESPS REINA SOFIA, and led by the Spanish Rear Admiral Ibañez Martín.
While patrolling en route from ATALANTA area of operation to AGENOR area of operation, FS SURCOUF carried an inspection on a stateless dhow and seized more than two tons of hashish, worth around 20 million euros in street value. The interdiction was conducted on the infamous “Hashish Highway”, a narcotics trafficking that ultimately lead to the Europe. After the two operations conducted by the "Mission Jeanne D’Arc 23" last March, this is the third counter narcotics operation in 2023 carried out by Operation Atalanta, for a total of more than 55 million euros of narcotics taken out of the illicit drugs trafficking networks.
France has been strongly committed to Operation ATALANTA and allows the European Union to tackle the narcotics flow in the Indian Ocean in accordance with the mandate given by its Member States to EU NAVFOR. The counter-narcotics executive task of ATALANTA targets the illegal activities into which criminal networks have diversified, as well as tackling the sources of funding for violent extremist organizations.
This success highlights that Operation ATALANTA is fully committed to fight against illegal trafficking and proves EUNAVFOR’s effectiveness as maritime security provider, increasing its responsibilities successfully developed during the 14 years of its existence.
The quality of the cooperation with the strategic partners that support ATALANTA’s mission, as well as the contributing nations to ATALANTA are paramount to our success as maritime security provider in the North Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
