English: A speedboat burns in the distance after being hit by rounds from the Minigun (foreground) of Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke following a drugs seizure and detainment of the crew.

The vessel was boarded and searched and a large haul of contraband was seized.

Royal Navy Frigate HMS Iron Duke seized approximately three-quarters of a tonne of cocaine possibly destined for the streets of Europe and the UK.

The drugs, with an estimated UK wholesale value of over £33 million, were seized in a night time operation off the coast of South America. At street level the cocaine is heavily adulterated, substantially raising the criminal profits, therefore this seizure represents a serious financial loss to the drug barons and dealers throughout the chain.

On patrol in the Caribbean, the Portsmouth-based warship HMS Iron Duke’s primary task is to reassure and assist the UK Overseas Territories during the hurricane season. As well as this core role, the Type 23 frigate conducts counter drugs operations as part of a multi-national task force

• Organization: Royal Navy
• Object Name: FY090035-056
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Operations, Counter Narcotics, Equipment, Weapons, Guns, Minigun
• Keywords: HMS Iron Duke, Duke Class, Type 23, FFG, Frigate, Ship, Equipment, Royal Navy, Drugs, Cocaine, Seizure, Narcotics, Contraband, Boarding, Go Fast, Smuggling, Caribbean, Fire, Smoke, Gunfire, Firing
• Country: Caribbean