The Royal Navy has seized almost £17m worth of illegal drugs, after intercepting speedboats in the Caribbean Sea.
In two separate operations, HMS Trent seized 200kg of cocaine as well as other narcotics. The estimated street value of the two hauls was £16.7million.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lauded the Navy for their work.
He said it evidenced the Navy’s commitment to “disrupt and dismantle” drug trafficking.
A US Coast Guard team joined British sailors and Royal Marines on HMS Trent to intercept a smuggling speedboat after it visited a port on the island of Martinique, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The MoD added that HMS Trent deployed Royal Marines of 47 Commando on fast sea boats to meet the drug-smuggling speedboat, seize the cargo and detain the crew before night fell.
In a separate sting which came less than 48 hours later, HMS Trent alongside a US Coast Guard patrol aircraft, tracked and intercepted another speedboat, according to the MoD.
HMS Trent has seized narcotics of the value of £307m since it began operating in the water around the Caribbean at the end of last year.
In February 2024, £221m worth of cocaine and other illegal substances were seized, in addition to £70m a month earlier.
Commanding Officer Tim Langford said: “The flexibility shown by my ship’s company to move straight from high-level defence engagement activity in Martinique straight into successful boarding operations is a testament to their dedication and professionalism.
“The level of co-operation between the Royal Navy, US Coast Guard and other partners has been excellent, and has been key to making these seizures possible.”
Gibraltar is HMS Trents’ home port. It left there in early December headed for Guyana in an effort to demonstrate Britain’s diplomatic and military support for the former colony.
This show of strength came at the same time neighbouring Venezuela reiterated its claim over a disputed part of Guyanese territory which is rich in oil and minerals.
Despite the Royal Navy saying that HMS Trent can perform border patrols and defence diplomacy, it is mainly used for tackling piracy and smuggling, protecting fisheries, counterterrorism, providing humanitarian aid, and search and rescue operations.
