A Seahawk Romeo helicopter from HMAS Albatross has returned after a successful nine month anti-terrorism operation in the Middle East.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 816 Squadron helicopter was on board HMAS Ballarat as part of Operation MANITOU.
The operation seized almost 20 tonnes of elicit drugs, having an estimated street value of $1.4 billion dollars.
Half a million rounds of small arms ammunition and 697 bags of chemical fertiliser, which are used in making improvised explosives, were also seized.
"HMAS Ballarat has played a significant role in promoting safety and security in the Middle East maritime environment by directly reducing the source of funding to terrorist organisations," Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said.
"Ballarat's ship company has worked tirelessly and professionally and we should be proud of their achievements."
Read more:
Commanding Officer aboard HMAS Ballarat, Commander Paul Johnson RAN, said the ship's crew had worked tirelessly during the operation.
"The work on-board Ballarat can be prolonged and arduous and it really is a whole of ship effort to sustain the boarding parties and achieve what we did," Commander Johnson said.
"Disposing of the illegal narcotics provides tangible evidence that we're making a difference.
The drug seizures included 19.76 tonnes of hashish, 1.41 tonnes of heroin and 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and amphetamine.
It was the 67th time a navy vessel has been in the Middle East since 1990.