SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 – A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer seized 7,200 kilograms of hashish worth an estimated $10 million from a fishing vessel transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Sept. 28.
USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) was operating in support of U.S. 5th Fleet, which is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. The ship began patrolling waters across the Middle East in August.
“This seizure is a testament to the professionalism and determination of the ‘Trailblazer’ team,” said Cmdr. Mark Gallagher, commanding officer of Delbert D. Black.
“I’m proud of our commitment to regional security and countering illicit activity on the high seas across the Middle East region.”
Delbert D. Black’s seizure occurred one day after USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) seized 2,410 kilograms of heroin worth $85 million from another fishing vessel transiting the Gulf of Oman Sept. 27.
The U.S. Coast Guard ship was operating under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership.
Forces from CMF’s 34 member-nations have conducted 13 successful drug interdictions in 2022, resulting in seizures of heroin, methamphetamine, amphetamine pills and hashish worth a combined value of nearly $300 million.
Delbert D. Black is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
The ship is deployed as part of the USS George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group and has a crew of more than 300 Sailors in addition to an embarked aviation detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48.
Story by NAVCENT Public Affairs
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet