Navy destroys massive heroin haul

The Australian navy has seized and destroyed heroin estimated to have a street value of more than $700 million as part of a security mission in the Middle East.

HMAS Melbourne crew found 353 kilograms of heroin during a boarding operation on a suspected drug smuggling vessel off the coast of Tanzania on February 5.

The Australian navy boarding team seized the suspected drugs, took samples and destroyed the remainder, Defence says in a statement on Friday.

HMAS Melbourne was directed to board the suspect vessel under the command of the Australian-led Combined Task Force 150, headed by Commodore Daryl Bates.

The task force conducts maritime security and interdiction operations to deter terrorism and promote peace and security in the maritime regions of the Middle East and Indian Ocean.