Canadian warship intercepts boat carrying $50M worth of cocaine off Mexico
A Canadian warship has returned home to British Columbia after intercepting nearly $50 million worth of cocaine off the coast of Mexico as part of an international counter-narcotics operation.
The coastal defence vessel HMCS Edmonton and its crew of approximately 40 sailors arrived back at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Friday following a 10-week deployment to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The deployment was part of Operation Caribbe, a longstanding Canadian commitment to U.S.-led anti-drug trafficking operations in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea.
The coastal defence ship, alongside a pair of U.S. Coast Guard cutters and an American helicopter, intercepted a suspected drug-smuggling vessel off Mexico on April 8.
The Department of National Defence says seven people were arrested and are now in U.S. custody after the boat was found to be carrying 755 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated Canadian street value of $49.5 million.
The seized boat, which the U.S. Coast Guard categorized as a "go-fast vessel" operating more than 320 kilometres off the Mexican coast, was destroyed at sea due to the threat it posed to navigation.
The commanding officer of HMCS Edmonton said he is "extremely proud" of the coordination demonstrated by the Canadian and American sailors on the task force.
A sailor from HMCS Edmonton drives Oiler, one of the ship's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, while two members of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) conduct radio checks prior to searching for jettisoned contraband south of the Mexican coast on April 8, 2023. (Department of National Defence)
"The crew of HMCS Edmonton have worked tirelessly since Operation Caribbe commenced to enhance integration with our United States and Central American partners, which was critical to success in this fast-paced and complex interdiction," Lt.-Cmdr. Tyler Smith said in a statement Friday.
The Canadian navy estimates it has participated in the seizure of 4,591 kilograms of illicit drugs since November 2021, and more than 120 tonnes of cocaine in the past 15 years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca