Around 120 nautical miles (138 miles/222 km) south of the Dominican Republic, HMS Trent apprehended a speed boat suspected of smuggling cocaine. This resulted in the seizure of half a tonne, or 506 kg, of the Class A drug.
A US Maritime Patrol aircraft hovered overhead to provide support as Royal Marines and members of the US Coast Guard boarded the smugglers’ boat.
The traffickers dumped their goods overboard, but all of the contraband was found, and the narcotics and three of the traffickers were turned over to US authorities for prosecution.
Commander Tim Langford, the commanding officer of HMS Trent, stated:
“This successful operation with our American partners demonstrates HMS Trent’s ability to support trafficking operations in the Caribbean Sea,” stated Commander Tim Langford, the commanding officer of HMS Trent.
My squad as a whole can be proud of yet another noteworthy haul, its sixth of the year.
The most recent seizure highlights the Royal Navy’s “critical role in maintaining maritime security and upholding international law both at home and abroad,” the navy said in a statement.
As part of this global operation, HMS Trent has now confiscated 6,995 kg of drugs in 2024, closely collaborating with the Joint Interagency Task Force (South) and the US Coast Guard.
