Pubdate: Fri, 15 Feb 2002
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html
Author: Stephanie Rubec

HAVING A BLAST ON THE 'HIGH' SEAS

Canucks Bust Drug-Running Boat, Use It For Target Practice

OTTAWA -- Canadian sailors are on a high after blowing up $72 million 
in opium and hashish.

Commodore Jean-Pierre Thiffault, commander of the Canadian Forces 
fight against terrorism, said HMCS Toronto's sailors led the 
high-seas drug bust Wednesday. He said the take-down ended in an 
impressive show of firepower yesterday when the frigate used the drug 
boat for target practice.

"They took advantage of the opportunity to do a bit of gun practice," 
he said in an interview from the coalition headquarters in Tampa, 
Florida.

Canadian sailors staffing the frigate first spotted a dhow - a local 
type of sailing vessel - towing a speedboat in international waters 
off Pakistan Wednesday.

They boarded when two men jumped into the speedboat and abandoned the 
dhow with its motors running.

The boarding party uncovered about 90 bags stuffed with plastic 
packages stamped with the phrase "Freedom of Afghanistan."

The bags contained two tonnes of opium and hashish, estimated at a 
street value of $41 million to $72 million.

"That's a big find, a significant find," Thiffault said. "And if 
you're able to deny the enemy that much money in one opportunity then 
it's a significant event."

Coalition intelligence officers combed through the shipment to 
determine if the drugs were linked to al-Qaida or Taliban suspects.

Thiffault said there was nowhere to dock the dhow, so the Canadian 
sailors towed it further out to sea.

"When you have absolutely no place to return the derelict vessel, you 
resolve to (use) other means."

HMCS Toronto unleashed her 57-mm guns on the boat, sinking it and its 
drug cargo.

"There were other ships involved and aircraft and they took advantage 
to do a bit of combat-readiness training, seeing as they were 
disposing of it altogether," Thiffault said.

HMCS Toronto is part of Canada's contribution to the war against 
terrorism, which includes two other frigates, a destroyer and a 
supply ship.

The Canadian Forces have also contributed 750 ground troops in 
Kandahar, and about 40 commandos and air force personnel working with 
three Hercules transport planes, an Airbus and two maritime 
surveillance planes.
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