An SH-60 Seahawk helicopter assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61)(not shown) flies above a stateless dhow interdicted with a shipment of illicit weapons in international waters of the North Arabian Sea on May 6-7, 2021. U.S. Navy Photo
Mike Schuler May 10, 2021
A U.S. Navy
guided-missile cruiser seized a large illicit shipment of weapons from a
stateless dhow in international water of the North Arabian Sea, the U.S. 5th
Fleet said over the weekend.
The seizure took
place on May 6 and 7 by an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Advanced Interdiction Team
(AIT) from the USS Monterey (CG 61). The 5th Fleet said the seizure took place
during a routine flag verification boarding conducted in international water in
accordance with customary international law.
The cache of
weapons included dozens of advanced Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles,
thousands of Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, and hundreds of PKM machine guns,
sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenades launchers, the 5th Fleet said.
Thousands of illicit weapons interdicted by guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) from a stateless dhow in international waters of the North Arabian Sea on May 6-7, 2021. U.S. Navy Photo
The original source and intended destination of the
weapons, which are now in U.S. custody awaiting final disposition, is currently
under investigation.
Monterey provided more than 36 hours of over watch and
security for its boarding teams and the interdicted vessel throughout the
two-day operation. After all illicit cargo was removed, the dhow was assessed
for seaworthiness, and after questioning, its crew was provided food and water
before being released.
“The U.S. Navy conducts routine patrols in the region
to ensure the free flow of commerce for legitimate traffic, disrupt the
transport of illicit cargo that often funds terrorism and unlawful activity,
and safeguard the rules-based international order,” the 5th Fleet’s statement
said.
gcaptain.com
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