Marines in Caribbean drug raid
ROYAL Marines from Plymouth were part of a Royal Navy task group that prevented drugs worth more than £160 million from potentially reaching the UK, during two daring operations in the Caribbean.
The elite snipers from Bickleighbased 42 Commando and an Assault Group from RM Tamar based 47 Commando (Raiding Group) are embarked on RFA Argus – the Primary Casualty Receiving Ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the closest thing the UK has to a Hospital Ship – which set sail from Plymouth back in April to support British Overseas Territories during the hurricane season and help in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alongside Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, US Coast Guard teams and Dutch Navy ship HNLMS Groningen, the Royal Marines helped seize 1.7 tonnes of cocaine and 28kg of amphetamines.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “The bust was the second in two days after seizing 264kg of cocaine in a separate operation in the region just 48 hours before.
“The first of the two recent busts came when two suspicious vessels were spotted near RFA Argus and patrol ship Groningen.
“A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron was launched with a Royal Marine sniper team from 42 Commando on board. Using advanced sensors and cameras, the helicopter team stopped the suspect vessels before a team made up of Royal Marines from 47 Commando, the US Coast Guard and personnel from HNLMS Groningen boarded the vessels to undertake the search.
“Just two days later, RFA Argus was conducting routine training when one of its Merlin helicopters spotted a suspicious craft. The 28,000-tonne vessel changed course to give chase and the Merlin and Wildcat helicopters worked with HNLMS Groningen to allow the US Coast Guard to intercept the craft.”
Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey said: “The Royal Navy has once again demonstrated its professionalism and tactical operational capability in an international effort to stop illegal drug-smuggling. It is with thanks to their efforts that £160 million worth of drugs will never reach the streets of the UK.”
Commanding Officer of RFA Argus, Captain Kevin Rimell, said: “This recent interdiction is yet another example of multi-national co-operation in the Caribbean.
“I am proud that the team of RFA Argus, utilising 815 and 845 Naval
Air Squadron helicopters, boats crewed by RFA personnel and Royal Marines from 47 Commando, were able to take the lead in an operation alongside our US Coastguard and Dutch Navy colleagues. Collectively we secured and apprehended a number of smugglers and a large quantity of contraband. These are challenging times and we ask a lot of our people so it is encouraging to see that our training and professionalism continues to shine through.”
The Royal Navy Caribbean task group have now prevented nearly a quarter of a billion pounds worth of drugs reaching the UK after three separate drugs busts also took place last month.
RFA Argus is in the Caribbean as part of a Royal Navy task group with HMS Medway providing support to British Overseas Territories. Both ships also continue to carry out maritime security and counter-narcotics operations in the region.