Parcels of seized narcotics lay on the deck of the smuggling vessel as HMAS Warramungas boarding team conduct an illicit cargo seizure during operations in the Middle East.
A Royal Navy Sea King Mark 7 helicopter has helped seize more than £100 million worth of drugs that were being shipped across international waters and even found time to save a family of turtles along the way.
Under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF)150, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Rosalies helicopter spotted a suspicious boat while flying over the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman, this week.
Australian ship HMAS Warramunga working with Fort Rosalie as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) then intercepted it and found more than 3.5 tonnes of illicit substances, valued at £105million.
*** Local Caption *** HMAS Warramunga intercepted and boarded a suspect vessel in international waters in the Arabian Sea on 03 January 2018 around 0830 (AEDT) with the support of a UK Royal Navy helicopter, seizing more than 3.5 tonnes of hashish, estimated to be valued at more than AUD$180 million. The operation was planned by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) which is commanded by Australia and supported by a combined Australian-Canadian staff.
Warramunga is deployed on Operation MANITOU, supporting international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East region (MER).
Warramunga routinely supports CMF operations. The CMF is a 32-nation partnership focused on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and promoting a safe maritime environment.
Warramunga is on her third deployment to the MER and is the 66th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy vessel to the region since 1990.
A Royal Navy crew has helped seize more than £100 million worth of drugs that were being shipped across international waters…
Under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Rosalie’s Royal Navy Sea King Mark 7 helicopter spotted a suspicious boat while flying over the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman.
Australian ship HMAS Warramunga – working with Fort Rosalie as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) – then intercepted it and found more than 3.5 tonnes of illicit substances, valued at £105 million.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Thanks to the skill and professionalism of Britain’s Armed Forces, working with key allies like the Australians, we are keeping our citizens safe by tackling the evil international drugs trade that funds terrorism.
“I am incredibly grateful that we have the best service men and women in the world who always go the extra mile, whether they are protecting us from harm or saving precious wildlife like this family of turtles.”
The Flight Commander, Lieutenant Commander Dan Breward Royal Navy said: “We’re delighted to have been able to contribute to CTF 150’s missions within the joint operations area. There was a massive effort from all parties involved from both Fort Rosalie and, ultimately, Warramunga.
“As long as drugs and weapons continue to be trafficked to aid terrorism, we will be here with the coalition members to stop them; we have a track record that we aim to build upon.”
