Royal Navy intercept yacht carrying cocaine
A Royal Navy destroyer intercepted a yacht carrying £4m (€4.87m) worth of cocaine, it was revealed today.
HMS Gloucester was called in to assist a law enforcement team from Cape Verde in the mid-Atlantic in the early hours of Friday.
The suspect yacht, called the Tortuga and registered in Florida, was taken to Cape Verde where authorities discovered the drugs hidden in the rudder, according to the Royal Navy.
The operation was coordinated by the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) (MAOC(N)) based in Lisbon, acting on French intelligence.
HMS Gloucester was diverted to assist while heading south to the Falklands, where she will spend the next seven months.
UK Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “The Royal Navy plays a crucial role in intercepting drugs that could be destined for Britain’s streets.
“I am very proud of their efforts.”
