MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Cumberland seizes £ 200 million in drug bust

The British frigate HMS Cumberland has seized a two-tonne haul of cocaine with a UK street value of some £200 Million in a Caribbean drug bust, reports the Royal Navy.

The discovery was made during routine counter drugs operations in the Western Caribbean, following reports indicating that a 'go fast' - the term given to small speedboats - involved in drug trafficking was transiting through the Devonport-based frigate's patrol area.

Working closely with a Lynx helicopter from her consort, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Wave Knight, and with the US Coast Guard, HMS Cumberland intercepted the vessel in international waters about 100 miles off Nicaragua.

The four crew onboard the go-fast initially tried to outrun the Lynx, but eventually gave themselves up with little resistance after the use of non-lethal disabling shots to stop their engines. A team then boarded the vessel from HMS Cumberland and a search discovered the presence of cocaine onboard.

The whole operation took the crew of the go fast by surprise and they were arrested and detained onboard pending further investigations.

"This is a great success for the Royal Navy. Drugs are a scourge of civilised society, crippling the lives of millions around the world", said Secretary of State for Defence John Reid.

"Taking the fight to those who defy the international community is as vital now as it has ever been. For that reason, I pay tribute to the crew of HMS Cumberland, whose professionalism and commitment to the task has dealt a sledgehammer blow to the drug traffickers."

Captain Simon Ancona, the Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland said: "The operation was a success and I am pleased that HMS Cumberland is involved in the international fight against drugs. Operations like these send a strong message that governments, agencies and armed forces worldwide will work together in a determined effort to counter drug running."

Captain Ancona added: "This operation has stopped Class A drugs reaching the streets and harming our communities. The ship's prompt reactions allowed the appropriate and lawful action to take place with the minimal use of force. We worked closely with our allies as part of an international collaboration against drug smuggling."

HMS Cumberland is on a four-month operational patrol in the Caribbean in order to conduct humanitarian aid and provide disaster relief assistance if required, as well as participate in counter narcotic operations. She is currently monitoring the progress of Hurricane Beta and is due to return to the UK in December this year on completion of her mission.

HMS Cumberland is a Type 22 frigate with a length of 148 metres and displacing over 4000 tonnes. Her crew of 250 operates the latest weapons and communications system, including the Seawolf close air defence system and 4.5 inch gun. Equipped with the Lynx helicopter, the ship is well placed to provide extended range support for relief operations.

In 2003, HMS Cumberland and RFA Wave Knight were involved in another anti-drug operation when they intercepted a former motor torpedo boat in mid-Atlantic and seized 3.6 tonnes of cocaine.