The Canadian Navy’s HMCS Harry DeWolf, an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), is currently deployed on Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s contribution to a U.S.-led multinational effort to combat illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. As of February 21, 2025, Harry DeWolf continues to uphold a nearly two-decade tradition of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) participation in the operation, which has disrupted organized crime and bolstered regional security since its inception in 2006.
Named after Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf, a celebrated Canadian naval hero of the Second World War, HMCS Harry DeWolf is the lead ship of its class, designed for versatility in both Arctic and offshore environments. Commissioned in 2021, it brings advanced capabilities to Operation CARIBBE, including enhanced surveillance systems and the ability to operate in challenging maritime conditions. Currently deployed as part of this counter-narcotics mission, HMCS Harry DeWolf works in tandem with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), whose Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) teams embark on the vessel to conduct boardings and interdictions of suspect vessels.
While specific details of its 2025 deployment are not yet fully detailed as of this date, the ship’s past performance offers a glimpse of its potential impact. For instance, on November 8, 2021, while on Operation CARIBBE, HMCS Harry DeWolf facilitated a USCG LEDET operation off Mexico’s west coast, resulting in the seizure of 1,300 kilograms (1.3 tonnes) of cocaine. This success underscores the ship’s role in tracking vessels of interest and supporting interdiction efforts, a mission it likely continues today. Additionally, its participation in exercises like TRADEWINDS 2022—highlighted in its April 4, 2022, deployment—demonstrates its broader contribution to regional interoperability and maritime training alongside partner nations.
RCN History of Operation CARIBBE
Operation CARIBBE began in November 2006 as Canada’s commitment to the U.S.-led Campaign MARTILLO, a multinational initiative aimed at disrupting transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking across the Caribbean basin and eastern Pacific. The operation reflects Canada’s strategic interest in North American security and its dedication to international cooperation. Since its launch, the CAF has deployed Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft on a rotational basis, contributing to the seizure or disruption of over 120 tonnes of cocaine—a testament to the operation’s impact.
In October 2010, a memorandum of understanding between Canada and the United States expanded the operation, allowing USCG teams to operate from Canadian warships. This partnership has been a cornerstone of Operation CARIBBE’s success, combining Canadian naval assets with American law enforcement expertise to intercept illicit shipments in international waters. The operation’s periodic deployments ensure a sustained presence, with ships and aircraft rotating through the region to maintain pressure on criminal networks.
Over the years, numerous RCN vessels have left their mark on Operation CARIBBE, showcasing the Navy’s adaptability and effectiveness.
HMCS Margaret Brooke (2024)
Departing Halifax on April 18, 2024, this sister ship to HMCS Harry DeWolf embarked on a six-week deployment. During this mission, HMCS Margaret Brooke participated in Exercise TRADEWINDS in Barbados, enhancing interoperability with eight other nations, and worked alongside the USCG to combat trafficking. The ship returned on June 23, 2024, having bolstered maritime security in the region.
HMCS Edmonton and Yellowknife (2024)
On August 12, 2024, these Kingston-class coastal defence vessels left Esquimalt, British Columbia, for a seven-week deployment. A standout moment came on September 5, 2024, when HMCS Yellowknife, in partnership with a USCG LEDET, intercepted a drug-smuggling vessel 430 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, seizing approximately 1,400 kilograms of cocaine valued at $60 million CAD. Both ships returned on September 25, 2024, marking a significant victory.
HMCS Summerside (2024)
Departing Halifax on May 6, 2024, for a ten-week mission, HMCS Summerside contributed to the seizure of 800 kilograms of contraband and illicit substances. Returning on July 19, 2024, the ship demonstrated the effectiveness of smaller coastal defence vessels in the operation.
HMCS Moncton (2023)
Deployed on October 24, 2023, HMCS Moncton conducted boarding and interdiction operations with USCG teams and partner nation assets, though specific seizure amounts from this deployment are not detailed on the webpage. Its efforts highlight the operation’s collaborative nature.
HMCS Saskatoon and Yellowknife (2022)
Beginning February 22, 2022, these ships operated in the southeastern Pacific, disrupting 872 kilograms of drugs alongside USCG partners. They returned to Esquimalt on May 20, 2022, reinforcing Canada’s counter-narcotics commitment.
A Legacy of Impact and Cooperation
These examples illustrate the diversity of RCN ships involved—from modern patrol vessels like HMCS Harry DeWolf and HMCS Margaret Brooke to stalwart Kingston-class ships like HMCS Yellowknife and HMCS Edmonton. Each has contributed to the operation’s overarching goal of disrupting illicit trafficking, often in partnership with RCAF CP-140 Aurora aircraft that provide critical aerial surveillance.
Operation CARIBBE’s success lies not only in the tonnage of drugs seized but also in the strengthened alliances it fosters. The operation exemplifies Canada’s role in multinational security efforts, working alongside the United States and regional partners like Belize, Colombia, and the Netherlands. The integration of USCG teams aboard Canadian ships has proven particularly effective, allowing for seamless coordination in tracking, boarding, and searching vessels of interest.