Canadian warships to renew drug-trafficking operation in South and Central America
The Canadian navy is renewing its drug-interdiction efforts in South and Central America, with approximately 80 sailors set to deploy from Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, B.C., on Monday.
Forty crewmembers apiece will depart Vancouver Island aboard a pair of coastal defence vessels, HMCS Saskatoon and HMCS Yellowknife.
The three-month deployment will mark more than a decade and a half since Canada launched Operation Caribbe as part of an American-led counter-narcotics mission in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
The sailors will be joined on the deployment by vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 2010, Canada and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding allowing American coast guard members to operate aboard Canadian warships, according to the Department of National Defence.
HMCS Yellowknife will be captained by Lt.-Cmdr. James Brun, a 17-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy, embarking on his fourth deployment with the Caribbean drug-interdiction operation.
His ship will carry a hand-launched aerial surveillance drone. The Puma unmanned aerial vehicle is designed to extend the vessel's range of detection for surface or near-surface vessels.
Lt.-Cmdr. Nadia Shields, a 20-year navy veteran, will be in command of HMCS Saskatoon for a second consecutive year on the deployment.
“We have an amazing, dedicated, professional, and focused team, and I have no doubt we will be successful because of them,” Shields said in a statement. "Our area of operation is larger than the North American land mass itself and we are two HMC ships searching for small boats. It is a difficult mission, but not impossible, as we have proven before.”
In April 2021, HMCS Saskatoon and another coastal defence vessel, HMCS Brandon, participated in a $44-million drug bust that included the seizure of 1,120 kilograms of cocaine.
National Defence estimates the Canadian Forces have either seized or disrupted the trafficking of more than 112 tonnes of cocaine since the inception of Operation Caribbe in 2006.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.