MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Argyll seizes £ 10 million in drugs in the Caribbean; second bust in three months

The frigate Type 23 is deployed to the North Atlantic and Caribbean region to provide reassurance and support to the UK’s British Overseas Territories

A Royal Navy warship has seized cocaine with a wholesale value of £10 million from a yacht in the Caribbean. Just 24 hours after helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo in Bermuda, the Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll’s Lynx helicopter spotted the yacht in the Atlantic.

 A search by the US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, working from HMS Argyll, uncovered 10 bales of cocaine which was confiscated before the 2 crew members were taken into custody.

Defense Secretary Michael Fallon congratulated HMS Argyll and the crew.

“This is yet another clear demonstration of the flexibility and versatility of the Royal Navy. HMS Argyll and her crew are playing a key role in disrupting the drugs trade which blights the UK.

”The British people should be proud of the work that they undertake on our behalf”
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This is HMS Argyll’s second bust in two 2 months having seized £ 21 million of cocaine last August.

The ship is operating as part of a 15-nation collaboration to stop criminal organizations getting access to regions of Central America, with a focus on the illegal movement of drugs from South America to the western world.

HMS Argyll is scheduled to dock in Cartagena de Indias by next Friday in coincidence with the presence of Prince Charles and wife Camilla in Colombia on an official visit before leaving for Mexico.

The Type 23 frigate is deployed to the North Atlantic and Caribbean region to provide reassurance and, if required, humanitarian aid and disaster relief support to the UK’s British Overseas Territories and other islands during the hurricane season. HMS Argyll also holds counter narcotics patrols in conjunction with the US Coast Guard and other partner nations to enhance regional security and deter illicit activity