A British Royal Navy warship with second-in-line to the throne Prince William on board helped the United States Coast Guard in a major drugs bust, the Defence Ministry in London said on Wednesday.
The Type-23 frigate HMS Iron Duke intercepted an ocean-going speedboat on Saturday, hundreds of kilometres north-west of Barbados.
It had been spotted by the ship’s helicopter and raised suspicions because it was so far off land and appeared to be heading for Europe or West Africa.
The US Coast Guard boarded the 15m vessel and found 45 bales of cocaine weighing 900kg and with an estimated street value of at least £40-million.
Five men on board the speedboat were detained. The boat, which was in poor condition, later sank, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
William (26) is serving on board HMS Iron Duke as part of a two-month attachment to the Royal Navy. The ship patrols the North Atlantic Ocean and is on hand to provide help in the event of natural disasters like hurricanes.
It also works on counter-narcotics operations with US colleagues to restrict the flow of cocaine out of Central America.
His presence was not mentioned in the communiqué, but the ship’s Commander, Mark Newland, was quoted by Britain’s Press Association news agency as saying Sub-Lieutenant Wales, as he is known, was involved as the operation unfurled.
“I was at each phase able to introduce him to and expose him to the way we do our business, from the planning all the way through to getting the sea boats and the 45 bales of cocaine on board HMS Iron Duke on Saturday evening.
“This is a young man who has three, four years of professional military experience behind him. He is someone who contributes at every level. He is a very professional military officer, and very astute.
“He acts as I would expect a young officer of his experience and maturity to act in this type of operation.”
William has previously trained with the British Army and learnt how to fly with the Royal Air Force as part of preparations for his future role as head of the armed forces.
He completed an intensive course in basic skills such as navigation, boat handling and sea safety before joining the warship. He has experienced rough seas and stormy weather since being on board, Newland said. — AFP