An advanced Australian plane is helping stop the flow of drugs from North Korea. 

The Royal Australian Air Force has sent a P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft to hunt for vessels attempting to avoid tough United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea.

US intelligence and security agencies have published an advisory warning that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is using cryptocurrencies to avoid sanctions help fund its illicit activities.

Authorities say that the DPRK is a major player in the industrialised methamphetamine market, using cryptocurrency to make transactions difficult to trace.

Australia has been on the receiving end of North Korean narcotic cargos, and is helping lead the response to it. 

Australia’s military has even used laser-guided bombs to scuttle ships and boats found smuggling drugs in an effort to ward off future attempts.   

But now, Defence says a P-8A Poseidon will fly out of Kadena Airbase in Japan alongside RAAF maritime patrol aircraft and vessels to step up the fight. 

“Operation ARGOS reinforces Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and directly contributes to maintaining the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region alongside our partner nations,” says chief of joint operations lieutenant General Greg Bilton.

“Australia remains committed to enforcing UN Security Council sanctions and our own sanctions against North Korea.”