A U.S. Navy boarding team operating from the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) discovered an estimated two tons of narcotics with a street value of around eight to ten million dollars aboard a 40-foot dhow intercepted in the Arabian Gulf on Dec. 15. The dhowâs 12 crewmembers were taken into custody and transferred to USS Decatur, and Decatur sailors are in control of the dhow. The smuggling routes are known to be used by Al-Qaida and four of the 12 crew members are believed to have links to the organization.
Decatur was operating near the Straits of Hormuz, conducting Expanded Maritime Interception Operations designed to deny use of the seas by terrorists and smugglers. Once aboard the dhow, Decaturâs boarding team determined that the dhowâs crew lacked proper documentation of its nationality or cargo. Decaturâs team then discovered 54 70-pound bags of hashish. An initial investigation uncovered clear ties between the smuggling operation and al-Qaida. âThis capture is indicative of the need for continuing maritime patrol of the Gulf in order to stop the movement of terrorists, drugs and weapons,â said Rear Adm. Jim Stavridis, Commander, Enterprise Aircraft Carrier Strike Group. âThis is a vital part of winning the global war on terror.â Future disposition of the dhow and its crew will be determined following coordination with investigation by legal authorities. The boarding was coordinated by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 18, embarked in the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, operating in the Arabian Gulf. USS Decatur, a part of Expeditionary Strike Group One, is home ported in San Diego. |