SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) seized illicit shipment of weapons from a stateless dhow in international water of the North Arabian Sea last week, according to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
The Bahrain-based Fleet said the USS Monterey discovered the illicit cargo during a “routine flag verification boarding” carried out in international water in accordance with customary international law.
“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,” the Fleet said in a statement on Saturday, according to Reuters.
“Other weapon components included advanced optical sights,” it added.
It further said the U.S. Navy has started investigation to find the original source and intended destination of the material, which is in U.S. custody awaiting final disposition.
“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,” Reuters quoted the Fleet as saying.
Thousands of illicit weapons interdicted by guided-missile cruiser @USSMonterey (CG 61) from a stateless dhow in international waters of the North Arabian Sea on May 6-7.
Cache of weapons included advanced Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles & Chinese Type 56 assault rifles. pic.twitter.com/07Fv92vbrV
— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) May 8, 2021
