Munitions seized from billionaire's NZ-bound yacht

Tongan customs officers have seized ammunition from Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich's yacht heading to New Zealand.

The Chelsea Football Club owner's 100m yacht, Le Grand Bleu, moored off Tonga's Pangaimotu island yesterday with 37 crew.

The Maitangi Tonga newspaper said customs officials removed three boxes of ammunition from the yacht but were still inquiring about the weapons for which the ammunition was intended.

Customs officer Felise Tonga Finau said the search was standard procedure and the ammunition would be returned as the yacht left.

The yacht was at the centre of an earlier controversy when it was revealed it had a parrot on board. Biosecurity New Zealand is insisting the parrot be kept caged for the duration of the yacht's stay.

Le Grand Bleu has on board a helicopter, a speedboat, a 15m racing yacht, a 13m cruiser, eight jet skis, an aquarium and a pool.

- NZPA