Royal Marines Foil £35m Drug Smuggling Operation
A Royal Marine sniper has successfully halted a high-speed drug boat in the Gulf of Oman, resulting in the seizure of £35 million worth of illegal narcotics.
The operation involved a Wildcat from 815 Naval Air Squadron, which intercepted three fast-moving skiffs during a dawn patrol. As the vessels attempted to evade capture, the Royal Marines' Maritime Sniper Team from 42 Commando took aim, striking one boat's outboard engine with a single precision shot.
- More than one and a half tonnes of heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and hashish were recovered from the scene.
- The seizure represents one of the Royal Navy's most significant counter-narcotics operations in the Middle East in recent years.
No direct quotes available.
Author's summary: Royal Marines seize £35m worth of narcotics.