Paul Hamilton seizes 1,000 kg hashish from Iranian fishing vessel in Gulf of Oman
On 21 April 2023, U.S. Navy destroyer USS Paul Hamilton interdicted an Iranian fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman and seized 1,000 kg of hashish and 802 kg of methamphetamine, which U.S. naval authorities valued at $42 million. Five crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals and attempted to discard bags of methamphetamine before the vessel was seized.
USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer operating in
support of Combined Task Force 150, interdicted an Iranian fishing vessel in the
Gulf of Oman on 21 April 2023.[1]The vessel was smuggling 802 kilograms of
methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of hashish; U.S. naval authorities valued
the combined haul at $42 million.[1]
The vessel’s crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals, and five
smugglers on board attempted to discard 50 bags of methamphetamine weighing 35
pounds each by throwing them overboard before the vessel was seized.[1]Some
of the discarded bags were recovered from the water.[1]
Last month, Navy and Coast Guard personnel from the guided-missile destroyer USS
Paul Hamilton found 802 kilograms of methamphetamines and 1,000 kilograms of
hashish on another small fishing vessel sailing through the Gulf of Oman.[2]
Photos and video
USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) sails near an Iranian fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman on 21 April 2023, as the vessel was interdicted while attempting to smuggle illicit drugs. Photo: U.S. NavyPhoto details
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Source: Combined Maritime ForcesUSS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) sailing near the interdicted fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman, 21 April 2023. Photo: U.S. NavyPhoto details
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Source: Combined Maritime ForcesMembers of the USS Paul Hamilton boarding team interdict the fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman, 21 April 2023. Photo: U.S. NavyPhoto details
The 802 kg of methamphetamine is excluded from cannabis figures; only the 1,000 kg of hashish is recorded.
No arrests, charges or court outcome were reported; the five Iranian nationals who attempted to discard the methamphetamine were not subsequently prosecuted in these sources.
The exact position where the interception took place in the Gulf of Oman was not given.
The $42 million value covers both hashish and methamphetamine together; no cannabis-only value is recorded.
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