An AFM maritime patrol aircraft achieved “a high level of success” in intercepting irregular migrants and contraband at sea in an EU Frontex operation off Italy last month, the armed forces said.

The King Air plane was sent to Brindisi to join Operation Aeneas. Frontex is the EU’s border management agency.

Operation Aeneas covers the Adriatic and Ionian Sea between the coasts of Italy, Greece and Albania. The King Air’s role consisted mainly of night air patrols.

The AFM made it into the Italian news after finding a ship with migrants heading towards Italy and a fast boat smuggling narcotics into Albania.

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