£36 Million Worth of Cocaine Seized Recently by Royal Navy

LONDON, United Kingdom, Wednesday November 26, 2014, CMC - The British Royal Navy says it has dealt a blow to smugglers after seizing more than 850 kg of cocaine in a high speed chase across the Caribbean.

The Royal Navy said it was the third drug bust for HMS Argyll in as many months with this latest haul having a wholesale value of £36 million (One British Pound = US$1.57 cents). It said that the HMS Argyl has now seized 1,600kg of cocaine with a combined value of more than £68 million.

“HMS Argyll has had phenomenal success in disrupting the drugs trade which continues to blight the UK (United Kingdom), said UK Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon.

“Her crew are doing outstanding and demanding work, and the British people will rightly be proud of, and grateful for, their professionalism and commitment. Thanks to them, drugs destined for our streets never reach our shores,” he added.

The Royal Navy said HMS Argyll apprehended the suspect vessel after being alerted by a US customs aircraft.

It said after a high speed chase, during which time the smugglers began to throw their illegal cargo overboard, the warship used high tech radar to guide her small patrol boats which surrounded the smugglers and forced them to surrender.

“The Royal Navy has helped remove a large quantity of drugs from circulation, and that, along with our disaster relief and engagement work has helped demonstrate the value for money a modern day warship provides,” said HMS Argyll Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Hammond.