In two operations against drug traffickers in the Indian Ocean, the British Navy has reportedly seized around 3.7 tons of heroin, crystal meth, and hashish, reports dpa.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the street sale value of the drugs is estimated at about GBP 33 million (EUR 38.5 million) and more than two tons of drugs have already been destroyed. Just a week earlier, the Royal Navy had reported that, together with the US Coast Guard, it had secured cocaine and other drugs worth nearly GBP 17 million in the Caribbean.
In the Middle East, the Royal Navy is participating in a Canadian-led security operation with the frigate “HMS Lancaster.” During this operation, a helicopter crew spotted a suspicious boat, leading to Royal Marines searching the vessel and finding nearly 100 packages of heroin and crystal meth, reports dpa. Soon after, the crew noticed another boat and, following a chase, a commando team stopped the sailing ship and found 2.4 tons of hashish on board.
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps praised the soldiers and said that the Royal Navy was at the forefront of Britain’s commitment to combating drug smugglers worldwide. “Their tireless effort and professionalism have dealt another significant blow to criminal networks,” said Shapps.