HMS Argyll has dealt a blow to drug smugglers after seizing more than 850 kg of cocaine in a high speed midnight chase.
It is the third drugs bust for HMS Argyll in as many months. This latest haul has a wholesale value of £36 million – in total she has now seized 1,600kg of cocaine with a combined value of more than £68 million.
HMS Argyll apprehended the suspect vessel after being alerted by a US customs aircraft, which directed the ship to intercept. The Plymouth based frigate was pushed to maximum speed and quickly closed the 70 mile gap. After a high speed chase, during which time the smugglers began to throw their illegal cargo overboard, the warship used high tech radar to guide her small patrol boats which surrounded the smugglers and forced them to surrender.
HMS Argyll with 850 Kg of cocaine on board, seized whilst on Counter Narcotics Operations in the Caribbean region.
HMS Argyll seized 850 Kg of cocaine whilst on Counter Narcotics Operations in the Caribbean region. In recent weeks HMS Argyll has provided assistance to Bermuda in the wake of Hurricane Gonzalo and has conducted two further counter-narcotics seizure.
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