USS Monterey Seizes Illicit Weapons in the North Arabian Sea

08 May 2021

From U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) seized an illicit shipment of weapons from a stateless dhow in international waters of the North Arabian Sea on May 6-7, 2021.

Download

USS Monterey and its embarked U.S. Coast Guard Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) discovered the illicit cargo during a routine flag verification boarding conducted in international water in accordance with customary international law.

Thousands of illicit weapons interdicted by guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) from a stateless dhow in international waters of the North Arabian Sea.

An SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), not shown, flies above a stateless dhow interdicted with a shipment of illicit weapons in international waters of the North Arabian Sea.

Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) inventory shipment of illicit weapons interdicted from a stateless dhow in international waters of the North Arabian Sea.

USS Monterey (CG 61) interdicts a shipment of illicit weapons in international waters of the North Arabian Sea.

Weapons aboard USS Monterey (CG 61) from a stateless dhow interdicted in international waters of the North Arabian Sea.

The cache of weapons included dozens of advanced Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles, thousands of Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, and hundreds of PKM machine guns, sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenades launchers. Other weapon components included advanced optical sights.

The original source and intended destination of the materiel is currently under investigation.

The materiel is in U.S. custody awaiting final disposition.

Assessment of the findings will be an interagency effort.

00:33

VIDEO | 00:33 | USS Monterey Illicit Weapons Interdiction 210506-N-WQ732-5001 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (May 6, 2021) U.S. Coast Guardsmen, assigned to the Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT), prepare to conduct a visit, board, search and seizure aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) in the Arabian Sea, May 6. Maritime Security operations, as conducted by the U.S. Fifth Fleet, entail routine patrols to determine patterns of life in the maritime as well as to enhance mariner-to-mariner relations. These operations reassure allies and partners and preserve freedom of navigation an free flow of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Palmer)

Monterey provided more than 36 hours of over watch and security for its boarding teams and the interdicted vessel throughout the two-day operation.

After all illicit cargo was removed, the dhow was assessed for seaworthiness, and after questioning, its crew was provided food and water before being released.

00:13

VIDEO | 00:13 | USS Monterey Illicit Weapons Interdiction Thousands of illicit weapons interdicted by guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) from a stateless dhow in international waters of the North Arabian Sea on May 6-7. Maritime security operations, as conducted by the U.S. Fifth Fleet, entail routine patrols to determine pattern of life in the maritime as well as to enhance mariner-to-mariner relations. These operations reassure allies and partners and preserve freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Palmer)

The U.S. Navy conducts routine patrols in the region to ensure the free flow of commerce for legitimate traffic, disrupt the transport of illicit cargo that often funds terrorism and unlawful activity, and safeguard the rules-based international order.

Google Translation Disclaimer