The Royal Navy has disrupted a major international drug smuggling operation, with HMS Lancaster intercepting and seizing £5.4 million worth of heroin and methamphetamine in the northern Arabian Sea, according to a Royal Navy news update.
This marks the Royal Navy’s first drug bust of 2025, carried out under the Combined Task Force 150, an international initiative to combat illegal maritime activity in the Middle East.
The Portsmouth-based frigate’s crew—comprising Royal Marines, sailors, and drone operators—played a key role in tracking and stopping the smugglers. As quoted in the Royal Navy news update, the Peregrine remote-controlled drone, which was only introduced to operations in late 2024, was crucial in detecting suspicious activity.
Operators of the Peregrine drone spotted two boats moored side by side during a nighttime operation, prompting the frigate’s Wildcat helicopter to be launched for further investigation. The aircrew observed packages being transferred from a small fast boat to a traditional dhow, confirming the presence of drug smugglers at work.
“Today’s successful drug bust underscores the vital role that the Royal Navy plays in international maritime security,” said Lieutenant Commander Rachel Rychtanek, a Wildcat pilot on exchange from the US Coast Guard, as quoted in the Royal Navy news update.
As HMS Lancaster rapidly approached the scene, the smugglers attempted to dispose of their illicit cargo, throwing the packages overboard. However, the frigate’s sea boat crew recovered the discarded drugs, bringing them back on board for testing.
A total of 340kg of heroin and 83kg of methamphetamine were seized, effectively removing a significant quantity of Class A drugs from the black market.
Following the bust, Royal Marines and sailors conducted a thorough search of the dhow, gathering valuable intelligence on smuggling networks in the region.
Commander Sam Stephens, HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, praised the success of the operation and spoke of the vital role of the new Peregrine drones, stating:
“I am extremely proud of my whole team for their professionalism and dedication in achieving this success. We have removed £5.4m of Class A substances from the black market and disrupted those who threaten our interests,” as quoted in the Royal Navy news update.
HMS Lancaster is deployed as part of Combined Task Force 150, a multinational effort to combat illegal activity in Middle Eastern waters. The warship, which has been stationed in Bahrain for over two years, continues to play a key role in safeguarding international maritime security.
She needs bringing back to the UK? shame to trash the vessel when she’s needed here to fill the ever dwindling number of available frigates!
anot point fo t old worn out T23’S still showing they’re one of the best warships around.
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Could this have been done with a River 2 and Peregrine? In any case roll on HMS Venturer.
Probably not. It was the combination of the Peregrine and Wildcat that is noted as being instrumental and the River B2 doesn’t have the facilities to host a wildcat for an extended duration. Venturer and her sisters are tailor made for this sort of operation and similar ones in the Caribbean as well. Sadly they are years away from being ready.
Greater chance in the Caribbean perhaps; the US DEA provides good aerial cover there I think. Point taken on Type 31; 2/3 the crew size of T23 and significantly lower running costs I would think. T31 might not a good choice for ops like Prosperity Guardian though; stretching the definition of ‘constabulary’ work.
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anot point fo t old worn out T23’S still showing they’re one of the best warships around.
I’m not holding my breath on the venturer, especially as it’s revealed that the nation will have to pay another £40 million for them
Imagine the amount of illegal immigrants they could return to France if they were available and we had a government with guts.
star.mer and his bunch of amateurs are out of their depth bcashing cheques that will bounce, but they’ll blame the Tories like every time they are on t.v