Royal Role As Iron Duke Seizes Drugs

Cocaine with an estimated street value of £40 million has been seized by HMS Iron Duke during a major drug bust operation.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Iron Duke, which has Prince William, pictured, on board, intercepted an ocean-going speedboat north-east of Barbados on Saturday.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency, in association with the British-led Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre in Lisbon, was involved in the coordination of the "successful interdiction".

Personnel of the United States Coast Guard detachment on board the frigate subsequently boarded the vessel, commonly referred to as a 'go-fast'.

Once onboard, 45 bales of cocaine, weighing a total of 900kg, were discovered, seized and transferred to HMS Iron Duke.

The boats crew of five men were detained and the vessel, which was in very poor condition, later sank.

Commanding Officer Mark Newland said: "This is a fantastic start to HMS Iron Duke's North Atlantic Deployment. To have had a direct impact on the flow of cocaine into Europe just four days after we arrived in theatre shows the benefit the Royal Navy can have in the area of maritime security and counter drug operations.

"From the first moment the Lynx helicopter discovered the suspect vessel, my ship's company, working hand in glove with our US Coast Guard colleagues, turned this opportunity into a certainty and ultimately a successful seizure. I am immensely proud of all their efforts."

The Iron Duke's primary role is to provide a UK presence in the region reassuring and supporting UK Overseas Territories, Commonwealth countries and other friendly nations.

In addition to countering drug smuggling operations, the warship is trained to conduct a wide range of other tasks including embargo operations, disaster relief work and surveillance operations.

Prince William is spending five weeks on board the warship, to complete his British forces training.

While the MoD confirmed that William was "part of the ship's company" during the operation, his exact role was not specified, although, "All of HMS Iron Duke's ship's company played their part."

(DS)