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Drugs worth £105 million intercepted by Royal Navy near Oman

Published on: 11 Jan 2018

The Royal Navy has helped seize more than £100 million worth of drugs being shipped across international waters.

A suspicious-looking boat was spotted by a Royal Navy Sea King Mark 7 helicopter while it was flying over the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman.

Working with Australian ship HMAS Warramunga, the vessel was intercepted before more than 3.5 tonnes of illicit substances - worth £105 million - were discovered.

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson praised the efforts of both UK and Australian personnel by saying: “Thanks to the skill and professionalism of Britain’s Armed Forces, working with key allies like the Australians, we are keeping our citizens safe by tackling the evil international drugs trade that funds terrorism.

“We have the best service men and women in the world who always go the extra mile.”

Flight commander lieutenant commander Dan Breward added that as long as drugs and weapons continue to be trafficked to aid terrorism, the Royal Navy will be on hand to stop them.

In 2017, Combined Maritime Forces ships seized a total of 22.67 tonnes of narcotics.