HMCS Brandon, Edmonton and Kingston departing for Op CARIBBE

DND Press Release

Over the next two days, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Brandon, Edmonton and Kingston are departing to participate in Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s contribution the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking by transnational criminal organizations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean.

Operation CARIBBE is one of the many activities undertaken by the Government of Canada and DND/CAF as part of Canada's broader commitment to engagement in the Americas. This annual operation directly supports the CAF's mission to defend against threats and security challenges to Canada, North America, and our defence and security partners.

"One of the Royal Canadian Navy’s most fundamental responsibilities is protecting and maintaining maritime security at home and abroad," said Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific. "We are committed to working with our partners who share our common values and goals in promoting regional stability while supressing criminal activity at sea. Operation CARIBBE builds upon and strengthens existing relationships and this is what enables our sailors to continue their success during this operation now and well into the future."

HMCS Brandon and Edmonton depart Esquimalt, B.C. on October 6 to participate in Operation CARIBBE in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. HMCS Kingston is planned to depart Halifax on October 7 to conduct operations in the Caribbean area of operations. Following readiness training at-sea, the ships will formally join Operation CARIBBE in the coming days.

"On behalf of all the personnel in Maritime Forces Atlantic, I wish the ship's company of HMCSKingston a safe deployment to the Caribbean Sea," said Rear-Admiral John Newton, Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic and Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic. "This cooperation with fourteen like-minded nations to stem flows of illicit drugs on the international sea lanes is a valuable contribution to regional stability. Moreover, the professionalism at sea and ashore will reinforce Canada's contributions to confidence and capacity building measures in the region. To all aboard Kingston, I know you will make us proud."

This deployment will look to build upon the success of HMC Ships Moncton, Summerside, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Vancouver, which so far in 2016 have seized and disrupted a total of approximately 2,930 kg of cocaine and 1,520 kg of marijuana while working with the United States Coast Guard and embedded Law Enforcement Detachments.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have conducted Operation CARIBBE since November 2006 and remain committed to working with Western Hemisphere and European partners to address security challenges in the region and to disrupt illicit trafficking operations

HMCS Summerside and Moncton Leave for OP CARIBBE

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Summerside and Moncton will leave Halifax for Operation CARIBBE on Wednesday.

The deployment of HMC Ships Moncton and Summerside marks the beginning of several naval and air deployments scheduled for 2016 in support of Operation CARIBBE, according to the Royal Canadian Navy. Operation CARIBBE 2016 is Canada’s 10th year of contribution to Operation MARTILLO, the multinational campaign against transnational criminal organizations in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean.

Royal Canadian Navy ships deployed a total of 10 times and sailed for a total of 344 days in support of Op CARIBBE 2015, according to RCN.

During that time, HMC Ships Brandon and Whitehorse seized more narcotics during a 44-day deployment last fall than any other duo of Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels during the Operation’s history, with a combined total of approximately 9,800 kilograms, the navy noted.

Major Drug Bust for HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan

DND released today that HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan, had a major drug bust on March 1 2015 while patrolling the Caribbean Sea as part of Op CARIBEE 2015. They are supporting US Navy and US Coast Guard in the operation.

On March 1 2015, HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan helped USS Kauffman conduct an initial search of a suspected vessel. Goose Bay then conducted an additional inspection. With reason to believe there were narcotics on-board, a third search was completed by USCG Law Enforcement with the support of both Goose Bay  and Shawinigan. 

The result of the search was a seizire of 1017kg of cocaine. The crew of the vessel were taken into custody on-board the USS Kauffman. The entire operation lasted more than 36 hours.

This marks the first narcotics interception by the Royal Canadian Navy during the Op CARIBEE 2015.

HMCS Goose Bay off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia in June 2010. Photo: CF Combat Camera Cpl. Rick Ayer