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OTTAWA — A Canadian warship has made a major drug bust at sea.

The Department of National Defence says the HMCS Toronto has seized around 500 kilograms of heroin from a boat in the Indian Ocean.

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The drugs were found after a naval boarding party searched the vessel as part of a security operation this past Friday.

“During this inspection, the boarding team recovered approximately 500 kilograms of heroin with an estimated street value of more than $100 million,” the defence department said in a release Sunday. “The narcotics were confiscated without incident and will be destroyed.”

“HMCS Toronto has recovered one of the largest heroin seizures on the high seas,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay said in the release. “This massive narcotics seizure is one example of how our Canadian Armed Forces members deployed in Canada and around the world are making a difference in international security and stability by denying criminals, and possibly terrorists, their source of funding.”

HMCS Toronto’s commanding officer says it is one of the largest heroin seizures in a maritime environment.

Commander David Patchell says the bust doesn’t just keep drugs off the street but also affects the finances of international terrorist organizations.

“This seizure will have a sweeping impact on these organizations at all levels and demonstrates Canada’s commitment to our allies and to ensuring the seas are used for legitimate purposes,” Patchell said.

This massive narcotics seizure is one example of how our Canadian Armed Forces members deployed in Canada and around the world are making a difference

The HMCS Toronto is currently part of a international naval task force patrolling the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.