Australian-New Zealand operation seizes AU$274m of heroin

By Baird Maritime - January 26, 2018.

HMAS Warramunga, supported by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 aircraft, intercepted and boarded a suspect vessel on January 24, seizing 915kg of heroin valued at more than AU$274 million.

HMAS Warramunga’s crew seized 915kg of heroin valued in excess of AU$274 million (US$221 million) in the Western Indian Ocean on January 24.

In a joint counter-narcotics operation hailed as one of Operation Manitou’s largest seizures, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 aircraft detected a suspicious vessel on January 23.

It was boarded and investigated by the crew in Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga the next day.

Over the past two months, Warramunga’s crew has seized and destroyed more than 11.5 tonnes of hashish and more than one tonne of heroin, valued in excess of AU$900 million, in six interdictions.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Warramunga, Commander Dugald Clelland said the illegal drugs were transferred to Warramunga for disposal at sea.

Combined Taskforce 150 is one of three task forces operating under Combined Maritime Forces. Australia assumed command the Combined Task Force 150 in December.