A Canadian patrol vessel recently completed an operation in the waters around Japan to monitor North Korean ship-to-ship transfers in violation of U.N. sanctions, Tokyo’s foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Max Bernays conducted monitoring and surveillance activities targeting the DPRK’s illicit maritime activities from mid to late September, the ministry said in a press release.

Tokyo welcomed the offshore patrol vessel’s visit as part of international efforts to ensure effective implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions aimed at disrupting the financial networks supporting Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs.

The foreign ministry added that Japan