[In short] An Atalanta patrol seizes a ton of narcotics in the Indian Ocean
(B2) A total of 1087,5 kg of various narcotics were seized on two dhows, which did not display any national flag.
This first anti-narcotics operation of the European operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta in 2023, was carried out in two separate actions: the first by the frigate La Fayette (F-710) and, shortly after, the second by the helicopter carrier Diksmuide ( L-9015).
In total, " 573 kg of cannabis resin, 305 kg of heroin and 210 kg of methamphetamine were seized, reports the EU maritime operation. The market value of these seizures is estimated at 36,8 million euros. These two actions follow on from the eight carried out in 2022 which made it possible to capture “ more than 12,7 tons of narcotics in total ».
The two French buildings, which are part of the "Jeanne d'Arc 23" mission, were made available during the passage through the area of operation of the European operation: what is called direct support.
The operation Atalanta is currently controlled by captain (captain) Juan María Ibáñez Martín. It has two ships: the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia (F-84), which serves as its flagship, and the Italian frigate Carlo Bergamini (F-590).
(NGV)
