A Plymouth-based ship has intercepted three small boats travelling across the Gulf of Oman carrying £35m worth of illegal narcotics, the Royal Navy has said.
Commando snipers from Bickleigh barracks were used to disable the boats and the Navy said it was the first time they had been called on to use non-lethal force in the specific area.
A spokesperson said the crews on the small boats tried to throw their cargo into the water and speed away, with two of the skiffs subsequently abandoned.
After disabling the third boat’s engine, teams found more than 1.5 tonnes (1,500kg) of drugs including heroin, crystal methamphetamine and cannabis concentrate hashish.
