Australian warplanes sank an impounded North Korean (NK) ship at an undisclosed target practice location to send a strong message to the despot regime against drug running. The Australian Navy for 1,100 kilometers chased down the ship before being captured with 150 kilograms of heroin with a street value of USD 115 million. Four members of the crew were sentenced to 22-25 years in jail for gun running. The ship captain and some crew were extradited to NK, as they were found innocent of smuggling drugs. Australia accuses NK of smuggling drugs to bolster its failing economy.