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Canada's Operation Caribbe Aids in JIATF South's Mission to Reduce Illicit Drug Flow

In 2007, the Canadian Forces (CF), along with their counterparts in the U.S.- led Joint Interagency Taskforce (JIATF) South, prevented more than 200 metric tonnes of cocaine from entering North America. Under “Operation Caribbe,” Canadian Forces (CF)’codename for its participation in JIATF(S), the Canadian military is co-operating with allied nations (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain and France) to reduce the illicit flow of drugs from Central and South America.

“The hope is that they’ll find a suspicious boat and will vector in a navy ship or coastguard ship from a variety of different nations, be able to conduct a boarding, hopefully capture the ‘bad guys’ and prevent drugs from coming into North America,” said Assistant CF Air Attaché, Lieutenant- Colonel Mike Hogan.

Operation Caribbe, which takes place in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, directly supports the Canadian government’s objective of strengthening Canadian interests in the region while addressing mutual concerns with our allies. Operation Caribbe falls under Canada Command, the Canadian Forces organization responsible for domestic and continental operations. The Canadian Forces are equipped with long-range maritime patrol aircraft, warships, and submarines that serve as excellent surveillance units that enable law enforcement authorities to locate, track, and intercept illegal activities.

“JIATF South is really a unique organization that brings together different elements of the U.S. military and different agencies within the U.S. government that contribute to one aim: curbing the illicit flow of drugs.”

JIATF South falls under U.S. Southern Command, headquartered in Key West, Florida. Its mandate is to co-ordinate the activities of the U.S. military, international allies and law enforcement partners to reduce the flow of illicit drugs and related activities such as piracy, migrant smuggling and terrorism. This type of highly organized, well-funded crime presents ongoing challenges to JIATF South, and Canadian Forces surveillance missions are making a significant contribution to the ongoing success of the JIATS mission

“Busts are happening all the time…there are sufficiently robust laws, both internationally and with all the nations that we cooperate with.”

According to Lt.-Col. Hogan, working with JIATF South is highly effective in strengthening the morale of Canadian Forces participants.

“Canadian soldiers, airmen/airwomen and sailors love to see success. They work hard and are very operationally focused, so when we can be there and participate in taking down ‘bad guys’, we see real tangible evidence of our hard work.”

These ongoing missions serve not only to build the morale of the Canadian Forces but, equally as important, serve to strengthen our international presence with our friends and allies.

“It’s an expensive endeavour but something that we need to do, and it’s a good international partnership for Canada to be involved in.”