Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Nick Eagland
Page: 10

SHIPS FROM B.C. HELP STEM FLOW OF COCAINE TO MEXICAN CARTELS

MISSION

Since 2006, the Canadian Armed Forces' Operation CARIBBE has been
disrupting illicit drug trafficking in international waters between
the U.S.-Mexico border and South America. With the help of
maritime-patrol aircraft and drones, the 47-person crews of HMCS
sister ships Edmonton and Saskatoon seek to identify suspicious
vessels and seize drug shipments. Both Kingston-class coastal-defence
vessels carry U.S. Coast Guard law-enforcement detachments consisting
of an officer, chief and six-person boarding team. After departing on
a 44-day mission from Esquimalt earlier this year, the Edmonton and
Saskatoon blocked the shipment of roughly $160-million worth of
cocaine, likely destined for Mexican cartels. Lt.-Cmdr. Lucas Kenward,
the Edmonton's commanding officer, said such disruptions are frequent
and increase stability in Central America. "It's a great mission, the
crews love it," he said.

SMUGGLERS

'Suspicious vessels' are usually 40-foot, fibreglass-hulled, 'go-fast'
boats travelling from Colombia or Ecuador, with an open top and crew
of two to five. These high-powered boats are loaded with large fuel
drums. Their operators bring just enough water and food to survive
gruelling trips, often more than 2,000 kilometres long. The smugglers
carry GPS units and satellite phones, but seldom have weapons or
life-jackets. "It's pretty remarkable when you actually see the
conditions these guys are subjecting themselves to to move this
stuff," Kenward said. To bring shipments as close to the Mexican
cartels as possible, the smugglers travel up the Gulf of Tehuantepec
or drop them off in Guatemala, Honduras or Costa Rica.

INTERDICTIONS

When a suspected smuggling vessel is found, the ships' captains are
empowered by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to identify the
vessel's flag state. A boarding team deploys to confirm the vessel's
nationality and whether its operators are up to anything suspicious.
The team inspects documentation and speaks with its command to verify
the operators' claims. Depending on what they learn, the team may then
conduct a safety inspection and see if contraband is on board. If
contraband is found, the smugglers are detained, questioned and
processed, transferred to a U.S. asset such as a warship, then taken
to the U.S. for prosecution for trafficking. Kenward said such
operations have stressful moments, but the threat of violence is quite
low. "The cartels have very little interest in causing violence
against grey-hulled vessels that are operating in that area, "he said.
"The last thing they want is more vessels going down there."

IMPACT

On its latest mission, the Edmonton seized 1,250 kilograms of cocaine
in two separate interdictions while another 600 kg were dumped
overboard by smugglers who then fled, Kenward said. These drugs had an
estimated value of $80 million and the Saskatoon achieved a similar
feat. Kenward believes such operations are vital in reducing the flow
of illicit cash and damage it causes in Central America. "Nothing
compares to being on a bonafide operation where you're getting
involved in something that is very, very tangibly contributing to
stability in a region," Kenward added.
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MAP posted-by: Matt