CARIBBEAN DRUG-CHASE SUCCESS FOR ROYAL NAVY

15 Nov 2002 12:45 PM

The British Royal Navy warship HMS GRAFTON last night conducted a covert operation. A high speed chase resulted in the detention of 4 suspected Caribbean drugs smugglers carrying 12 bales of Marijuana worth approximately £3m. This is HMS GRAFTON'S third major drugs bust during her recent Caribbean patrol.

The ship's Lynx helicopter was on routine patrol when it detected a fast moving contact on its radar. When the speedboat and the warship were within 2 miles of each other, GRAFTON and it's helicopter went overt and illuminated the contact with powerful searchlights. The speedboat began to manoeuvre violently and a high speed chase followed. The 4 suspected smugglers began to throw the bales of drugs over the side in an attempt to destroy the evidence. 7 out of the 12 bales were recovered.

The Commanding Officer of the Type 23 Frigate, Commander Richard Thomas (35), said:

"This is exactly what the Royal Navy does so well. The outstanding teamwork, training and motivation of my crew all came to the fore tonight and this success is an excellent reward for their hard work. Our friends and colleagues back home are putting out fires; well we're doing our bit too, fighting hard in the war against drugs".

HMS GRAFTON sailed from Portsmouth at the end of July to take over Counter-Drug Operations in the region from the British destroyer HMS NEWCASTLE, which also made substantial finds. It is believed the ship's presence has already significantly reduced the amount of drugs being trafficked. HMS GRAFTON is due to return to the UK in time for Christmas.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. HMS GRAFTON is one of 16 Type 23 Frigates in the Royal Navy and is based in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

2. The Lynx helicopter callsign RedBull 37 is crewed by Lt Shamus Roster and Lt Gary McCall.

3. Video Footage of this operation is freely available, please contact the Photography Section on 020 721882041.

4. The Royal Navy has had an impressive record in capturing drug smugglers in the Caribbean:

DATE SHIP VALUE

May 99 HMS Marlborough £1bn
Nov 99 HMS Northumberland £135m
Jul 01 HMS Coventry £80m
Jul 02 HMS Newcastle £42m
Nov 02 HMS Grafton £100m

5. The MoD web-site can be found at http://www.mod.uk. It provides a link to our on-line news service, UK Defence Today, which also be accessed directly at http://www.news.mod.uk.