Muscat – A New Zealand-led naval task force in the Middle East has made its first drug bust of the year off the coast of Oman.

Working as a part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, the United States Coast Guard cutter Emlen Tunnell was last week patrolling off the coast of Oman when crew observed a suspicious dhow transiting a well-known drug smuggling route.

The boarding team conducted a search of the vessel and discovered 2,357kg of hashish on board.

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Commodore Rodger Ward is the Commander of CTF 150, a role he took up in January.

“Our command is a small cog in a system focused on interdicting illicit trafficking on the high seas. This is a team effort and this bust would not have been possible without the support of the 47 nations which make up the Combined Maritime Force (CMF),” Commodore Ward stated in press release issued by the New Zealand Defence Force. “We are very pleased to have achieved our first successful bust after only a few weeks in command. Every bust we make reduces the flow of finances to terrorist organisations. This is why we’re here, to contribute to maritime security,” he added.