The French Navy ships Helicopter-carrier DIXMUDE and Frigate LA FAYETTE captured more than one ton of narcotics
March 2nd- During a regular EUNAVFOR patrol to protect vessels transiting off the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, the two French Navy warships LHD DIXMUDE and FFH LA FAYETTE, both from French “Jeanne d´Arc 23” Mission and taking part in Operation ATALANTA, seized a total of 1087.5 kg of narcotics on two stateless dhows.
The French warships are in direct support to EUNAVFOR together with the Italian Frigate CARLO BERGAMINI, under the command of the FHQ on board the ATALANTA Flagship Spanish Frigate REINA SOFIA.
This is the first counter narcotics operation of ATALANTA in 2023, in which two actions have been conducted: the first one by the Frigate LA FAYETTE and shortly after the second one by the Helicopter-carrier DIXMUDE. Both actions are following the eight actions conducted in 2022 seizing more than 12,7 tons of narcotics in total. During the last operation, the types of drugs seized have been 573 kg of hashish, 305 kg of Heroin and 210 kg of methamphetamine. The street value of this seizure is an overall 36.8 million €. All these actions have conducted in very close coordination with the French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN).
The commitment of the contributing countries to the Operation, such as France in this case, allows ATALANTA to tackle the narcotics flow in the Western Indian Ocean in accordance with its mandate. The counter-narcotics executive task of ATALANTA targets the illegal activities into which criminal networks have diversified, as well as tackling the sources of funding for violent extremist organizations throughout East Africa, from Mozambique to Northern Somalia.
This success highlights Operation ATALANTA is fully committed to fight against illegal trafficking and proves EUNAVFOR effectiveness as maritime security provider, increasing its responsibilities successfully developed during the 14 years of its existence.
The cooperation and the quality of the strategic partners that support ATALANTA’s mission, as well as the contributing nations to ATALANTA, are paramount to its success in the endeavour of providing maritime security and the fight against maritime crime in the Indian Ocean.
