Royal Navy seize 1.7 tonnes of cocaine in £160million drugs bust in the Caribbean after huge joint operation with US Coast Guard and Dutch warship
The Royal Navy seized drugs worth more than £160 million that could have ended up in the UK in the Caribbean today.
Navy troops were joined by Royal Marines, US Coast Guard teams and a Dutch Navy ship in the drug bust which saw the seizure of 1.7 tonnes of cocaine and 28kg of amphetamines.
The bust was the second in two days after 264kg of cocaine was seized in a separate operation in the region .
The Royal Navy said its Caribbean task group has prevented nearly a quarter of a billion pounds worth of drugs reaching the UK after three separate drug busts also took place last month.
Drugs worth more than £160 million which could have ended up in the UK have been seized in the Caribbean. Pictured: A Merlin helicopter from 845 Naval Air Squadron lifts off from the flight deck of RFA Argus
The Royal Navy was joined by Royal Marines, US Coast Guard teams and a Dutch Navy ship in the drug bust which saw the seizure of 1.7 tonnes of cocaine and 28kg of amphetamines
Pictured: Royal Marines from 539 Raiding Squadron, 47 Commando and US Coastguard deploy to intercept a fast craft in the Caribbean Sea
RFA Argus is in the Caribbean with HMS Medway providing support to British overseas territories during hurricane season.
Both ships also continue to carry out maritime security and counter-narcotics operations in the region.
The UK works in partnership with allied nations in the Caribbean as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force South, which detects and monitors activity to support security operations from its base in Florida.
The commanding officer of RFA Argus, Captain Kevin Rimell, said: 'Collectively we secured and apprehended a number of smugglers and a large quantity of contraband.
The UK works in partnership with allied nations in the Caribbean as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force South, which detects and monitors activity to support security operations from its base in Florida
The Royal Navy said its Caribbean task group has prevented nearly a quarter of a billion pounds worth of drugs reaching the UK after three separate drug busts also took place last month
RFA Argus is in the Caribbean with HMS Medway providing support to British overseas territories during hurricane season
The bust was the second in two days after 264kg of cocaine was seized in a separate operation in the region 48 hours before. Pictured: A Wildcat of the 815 Naval Air Squadron takes part in the drugs bust
'These are challenging times and we ask a lot of our people so it is encouraging to see that our training and professionalism continues to shine through.'
Armed forces minister James Heappey said: 'The armed forces are committed to tackling organised crime, both at home and overseas, and work with our allies around the world to help protect our people and interests.
'The Royal Navy has once again demonstrated its professionalism and tactical operational capability in an international effort to stop illegal drug-smuggling.
'It is with thanks to their efforts that £160 million worth of drugs will never reach the streets of the UK.'