Washington, Jan. 23 (BNA): The US Navy announced, on Sunday, the seizure of a boat in the Gulf of Oman carrying fertilizers used to make explosives that was seized last year while smuggling weapons to Yemen.
The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in the Middle East, said its guided missile destroyer USS Cole and its patrol ships stopped and searched the dhow, a stateless fishing vessel, which was sailing from Iran on a naval weapons smuggling route last Tuesday.
US forces found 40 tons of urea fertilizer, known to be a key ingredient in homemade explosive devices, hidden on board, an Associated Press report said.
Authorities said the ship had previously been seized and was found last year loaded with thousands of assault rifles and rocket launchers, among other weapons.
UN experts say weapons with such technical characteristics likely come from Iran to support the Houthi rebels.
The Navy handed over the Yemeni ship, cargo and crew to the Yemeni Coast Guard earlier this week.
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