Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga featuring a Seahawk Romeo helicopter from 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross has secured its third major drug bust in the Arabian Sea.
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Its latest haul of 111 kilograms of heroin valued at $33 million was secured on January 7.
It’s Warramunga’s third successful seizure in the past fortnight, taking the ship’s total seizures to more than 11.5 tonnes of hashish and 180 kilograms of heroin and a total approximate value of $629 million.
The operation was carried out under the direction of the Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF’s) Australian-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), after the suspect vessel was assessed to be engaged in possible illegal activity.
Warramunga Commanding Officer, Commander Dugald Clelland said the ship’s company was proud of its contribution to the mission in recent weeks.
“This seizure was the result of a complex operation involving thorough analysis of historical information, careful surveillance and hard work by the boarding party,” Commander Clelland said.
Read more: HMAS Albatross crew in successful drug raid
Commander of CTF 150, Commodore Mal Wise, said he was proud of the efforts of the sailors of CTF 150.
“The hard work and dedication of HMAS Warramunga’s company has again been demonstrated by this seizure of narcotics in the Arabian Sea,” Commodore Wise said.
This seizure was the result of a complex operation involving thorough analysis of historical information, careful surveillance and hard work by the boarding party.
- Warramunga Commanding Officer, Commander Dugald Clelland
“The ongoing success of CTF 150 in interrupting the flow of narcotics in the Middle East region highlights the enduring importance of a naval partnership like the CMF in promoting security in international waters.”
After being transferred to Warramunga, the narcotics were disposed of at sea.
Warramunga is deployed to the Middle East on Operation Manitou, Australia’s commitment to maritime security and stability in the region, including the CMF.
The CMF is a coalition of 32 nations that conducts maritime security operations to ensure the free flow of legitimate commerce in the Middle East Region and to deny the use of the high seas to terrorist and illicit non-state actors.
- The figures stated above are approximate and based on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Illicit Drug Data Report 2015–16 estimates for cannabis resin (hashish) at $50 per gram and heroin at $300,000 per kilogram.
