Navy seizes cocaine worth more than £240 million
Navy seizes cocaine worth more than £240 million
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Monday, 28, Sep 2009 08:33
By Richard James.
The Royal Navy has seized cocaine with a street value of more than £240 million, its largest ever haul.
The Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke seized more than five-and-a-half tonnes of the illegal drug from a 138ft fishing boat of the coast of South America on September 15th.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence described how a Lynx helicopter operating on the frigate spotted the converted fishing vessel MV Cristal operating in a known narcotics trafficking region and acting suspiciously.
In a coordinated action with RFA Fort George, Iron Duke approached the vessel along with armed helicopters, ships and the US Coast Guard and Royal Navy personnel boarded the fishing boat.
A total of 212 separate bales of cocaine where discovered onboard, weighing approximately 26kg each.
Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell said: "Again, the Royal Navy has successfully damaged the trade in this vile substance, which only serves to poison our communities.
"The crew rightly deserve our praise and thanks for the work they do on our behalf."