Dakar, Senegal - The United States, Cabo Verde and Senegal completed combined operations during Operation Junction Rain, a part of African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP), in Dakar, Senegal, June 28.

AMLEP pairs a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment (LEDET) with partner nation maritime forces and interagency personnel to execute combined law enforcement operations. The U.S. boarding teams operated from partner nation vessels to identify suspect vessels or escort vessels that have been cited for illicit and criminal activities.

"This part of Operation Junction Rain was a great success," said Cmdr. Matthew Lehman, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 60 and Task Force 65. "We worked seamlessly with our Senegalese and Cabo Verdean partners while supporting their efforts to patrol their maritime domains against illicit traffickers and illegal fishing."

In total, combined boarding teams performed 40 boardings, of mostly fishing vessels, and the Senegalese Navy issued two fishing violations for a total of $75,000.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa.