Navy warship intercepts ‘drug smugglers’ in Caribbean

From itv

The crew of a Royal Navy warship has seized a stash of cocaine with an estimated street value of £100 million after sailors boarded a speedboat near Puerto Rico, the Ministry of Defence has said.

HMS Lancaster made the bust after the boat – which was concealed by a tarpaulin – was spotted by a US Customs and Border Agency aircraft in the Caribbean Sea.

Three suspected smugglers and the 680kg haul of cocaine were handed over to the

Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo and then the authorities in Puerto Rico.

PHOTO: HMS Lancaster returning to Portsmouth Naval Base in 2010 Credit: Chris Ison/PA Wire

For more on this story go to:

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-08-14/navy-warship-intercepts-drug-smugglers-in-caribbean/

EDITOR: HMS Lancaster arrived in Cayman for a familiarization visit in June as part of a support tour in Britain’s Caribbean Overseas. In July the ship was praised by the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) when it helped detect three cannabis plantations in various parts of Angulla resulting in the seizure of 204 plants.

See related stories published in iNews Cayman:

“Frigate that visited Cayman detects cannabis plantations” – July 23 2013 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/07/frigate-that-visited-cayman-detects-cannabis-plantations/

“Warship crew pay respects to fallen sailors in Florida” –July 1 2013 at: www.ieyenews.com/2013/07/warship-crew-pay-respects-to-fallen-sailors-in-florida/

“HMS Lancaster Marks First Cayman Visit” – June 23 2013 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/06/hms-lancaster-marks-first-cayman-visit/

“HMS Lancaster to visit the Cayman Islands” – June 20 2013 at:

http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/06/hms-lancaster-to-visit-the-cayman-islands/