AUSTRALIAN NAVY SHIP DESTROYS $126 MILLION WORTH OF HEROIN
Friday, October 9, 2015
Australian Navy ship destroys $126 MILLION worth of heroin found on a small fishing boat in the Indian Ocean that was set to fund terrorism in the Middle East
The Australian Navy has intercepted a fishing boat carrying at least $126 million of heroin across the Indian Ocean - a success that's been hailed for disrupting funding to terrorist organisations.
Navy personnel from HMAS Melbourne seized and destroyed 427 kilograms of heroin after noticing the boat operating suspiciously on October 1.
Personnel sent to interview the dhow's crew believed they were involved in illegal activity and searched the boat, uncovering the heroin.
The drugs were transferred from the dhow to HMAS Melbourne where it was analysed and then destroyed.
The intercept occurred during HMAS Melbourne's first patrol of her current Operation MANITOU deployment to the Middle East.
HMAS Melbourne's Commanding Officer, Commander Bill Waters, commended the personnel for their efforts.
'In 2015, Australian ships have seized nearly two tonnes of heroin while deployed to Middle Eastern waters,' he said.
'This latest intercept shows our continuing vigilance is essential in the fight against terrorism. The entire crew has worked tirelessly for a result of which we are extremely proud.'
Vice Admiral David Johnston, Chief of Joint Operations, welcomed HMAS Melbourne to the Middle East.
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