Overview

• HMS Lancaster led the interdiction in the Gulf of Oman, intercepting three fast skiffs and recovering more than 1.5 tonnes of heroin, crystal meth and hashish valued at about £35 million.
• The Wildcat helicopter flew backwards to provide a stable firing platform as a Royal Marine used an L121A1 .50 calibre rifle to disable the remaining skiff’s outboard engine.
• Crews on the suspect boats threw cargo overboard when the helicopter closed, two skiffs were abandoned and the third was stopped after the engine was hit.
• The ship deployed a Peregrine mini-helicopter drone for covert surveillance, feeding live video to Lancaster’s operations room during the chase.
• Armed Forces minister Al Carns and HMS Lancaster’s commander Sam Stephens praised the carefully planned operation, which the Ministry of Defence formally confirmed.