Royal Navy ship stops boat carrying £35m illegal drugs

A Plymouth-based ship has intercepted three small boats travelling across the Gulf of Oman carrying £35m worth of illegal narcotics, the Royal Navy has said.

Commando snipers from Bickleigh barracks were used to disable the boats and the Navy said it was the first time they had been called on to use non-lethal force in the specific area.

A spokesperson said the crews on the small boats tried to throw their cargo into the water and speed away, with two of the skiffs subsequently abandoned.

After disabling the third boat’s engine, teams found more than 1.5 tonnes (1,500kg) of drugs including heroin, crystal methamphetamine and cannabis concentrate hashish.

The operation used the Navy’s Wildcat helicopter and the Maritime Sniper Team from 42 Commando – which is based in Bickleigh in Plymouth – were also involved.

HMS Lancaster is based in Plymouth but has been operating out of the Royal Navy’s Middle East hub in Bahrain since late 2022.

Commander Sam Stephens, commanding officer, said he was “hugely proud” of the team.

He said: “This operation saw Lancaster’s crewed and uncrewed aircraft working hand-in-glove under the direction of the ship’s operations room.

“The outcome was a highly-successful bust, removing large quantities of narcotics from the streets and preventing their profits from fuelling extremism.”

Wildcat pilot Lt Guy Warry added: “Non-lethal disabling fire has not been seen in the region and was essential in preventing the drug runners from moving their product.

“Being the Wildcat pilot carrying out a live weapons firing on drug-running skiffs whilst flying backwards to provide a stable platform for the snipers was definitely a career highlight.”

The ship’s success was praised by Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns.

He said it was “remarkable, and a real testament to the skill and training of our personnel”.