HMS Lancaster seizes £3m worth of drugs in its fourth bust this year
The Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster has made its fourth drug bust of the year, seizing £3m worth of illegal narcotics.
Sailors and Royal Marines from the Plymouth-based warship seized the drugs from a boat after the frigate's Wildcat helicopter located the vessel in the northern Arabian Sea.
The actions of her crew prevented the drugs from reaching the streets.
HMS Lancaster's Commanding Officer, Commander Chris Sharp, said: "I continue to be proud of the teamwork of the whole ship’s company and their ability to achieve successful interdictions such as this one today.
"It is a true team effort that requires a lot of moving parts to come together as a well-oiled machine, ultimately to stop the distribution of illicit narcotics.
"This success is shared with our international partners in Combined Task Force 150 who provided essential support to the operation."
The vessel launched sea boats against the suspect craft, with a specialist boarding team from 42 Commando, while the Wildcat circled overhead providing sniper cover.
Once the craft was secured, Royal Navy sailors came aboard to begin their search for any illegal cargo.
An in-depth search of the craft unearthed over 200 packages, containing a total of 260kg of heroin and 200kg of hashish.
The drugs, weighing just under half a tonne, were subsequently transferred to HMS Lancaster.
Their actions earned praise from Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
Mr Shapps said: "HMS Lancaster's four seizures this year show clearly the benefit that our continuous presence in the Gulf is having for regional and global security.
"Our Armed Forces are globally deployed to maintain peace, security and stability, and I am proud of how we continue to operate around the world to uphold international laws and keep people safe."
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