The frigate has been operated under operational control of the commander of the Indian Ocean maritime zone (ALINDIEN), in direct support of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. A specially trained team boarded the small dhow using one of Courbet‘s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and conducted a thorough search of the vessel. An estimated 3,534 kilograms of hashish were discovered on board.
This is CTF 150’s first seizure under its new Australian command. Cdre Ray Leggatt assumed command of CTF 150, on 5 December. In addition to the RAN, the staff also includes members from the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy.
This year, French vessels carried out 9 seizures with a total of nearly 15 tonnes of illicit products in this area.
Maritime Business World