The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga intercepted and boarded three suspect vessels between 27 and 29 December 2017.
The operation is planned and coordinated by the Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) which is currently commanded by Australia—supported by a combined Australian-Canadian staff.
The seized drugs are estimated to be valued at around AUD$415 million according to a statement by the Australian Defence Force.
HMAS Warramunga is deployed to Operation MANITOU in the Middle East Region for the third time, as part of Joint Task Force 633 and is the 66th rotation of an individual Royal Australian Navy ship in the region since 1990.
Operation MANITOU is the current name for the Australian Government's contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region.
