Royal Navy makes first ‘narco-sub’ drugs seizure

A Royal Navy patrol ship has seized drugs from a semi-submerged vessel and a speedboat in the Caribbean.

HMS Trent said 2,000kg (more than 4,000lb) of cocaine was intercepted south of the Dominican Republic on 26 August.

US Coast Guard, which brought the drugs ashore on Monday, said 11 suspects were arrested.

The Royal Navy said the operation was its first-ever seizure of a so-called “narco-sub”, a semi-submersible or fully-submersible vessel used by drugs smugglers.

Portsmouth-based HMS Trent said its boarding team – comprising US Coast Guard personnel, Royal Marines and specialist sailors – climbed aboard the drugs vessel 190 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic.

The Royal Navy said its sea boats were also involved in another high-speed night-time pursuit of suspects.

It said two people were arrested and 12 bales of drugs were seized following the operation 90 nautical miles north of the “narco-sub”.

US Coast Guard said there were three interceptions in total, resulting in a haul of cocaine with a street value of more than £40m.

The Royal Navy quoted a street value of £160m.

HMS Trent has made eight drug seizures since deploying to the Caribbean in December 2023, setting a new record, the Royal Navy added.

It said the patrol ship had seized more than 9,400kg (20,000lb) of drugs, making it the best hunter of smugglers in the Royal Navy this century.