EDITOR’S NOTE: The Royal Canadian Navy has no legal authority for high seas arrests. The actual law enforcement is by a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET). The Canadian naval ships involved have no combat capability.
HMCS Edmonton and Yellowknife departed Esquimalt August 12, 2024 for a seven-week deployment on Operation CARIBBE in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
During the operation, the ship will contribute to the United States Coast Guard (USCG)-led efforts to find, track, and intercept vessels of interest to impede the flow of illicit drugs and goods flowing between South America, the Caribbean, and North America. HMC Ships Edmonton and Yellowknife will conduct boarding and maritime interdiction operations with embarked United States Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team personnel, partner nation surface assets, and maritime patrol aircraft.
Operation CARIBBE enables the Royal Canadian Navy to work with our partners and allies to protect Canada’s communities through counter-drug operations, and to stop the flow of illicit drugs into Canada, contributing to a safer North America.