A Plymouth-based Royal Navy frigate has seized £65 million worth of drugs.
What happened?
HMS Monmouth was on patrol in the Indian ocean when it spotted a ship in the area not normally known for fishing.
Crews quickly boarded the boat and spent 60 hours scouring the vessel for drugs before eventually finding them hidden in a freezer beneath three tonnes of ice.
Drug haul destroyed:
Cdr Ian Feasey, Commanding Officer, HMS Monmouth said, “After such a long search I had doubts we would find anything, but the reactions of the crew to our activity in certain areas was enough to convince us that there was illegal cargo. Eventually the breakthrough was made and we could bring the operation to a close, having successfully put a stop to the progress of the drugs. The crew destroyed more than half a tonne of heroin and cocaine”.
Significant blow to illegal trade:
The commanding officer said it was a significant blow to the international drugs trade, “I am extremely proud of the professionalism, diligence and perseverance of my boarding team to achieve a result in such arduous conditions. This has been an effort by the whole ship’s company and their efforts speak volumes about the Royal Navy’s ability and commitment to preventing illegal activity on the high seas”.
Drugs disposed off at Sea:
Once all the drugs had been photographed by the Royal Navy Police on board HMS Monmouth, the packages were disposed of in the sea ensuring no profits can be made from them.
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Source: Royal Navy
