Royal Marines Sniper Stops £35m Drug Boat in Gulf of Oman
A Royal Marine sniper aboard a Wildcat helicopter made a precision shot to stop a high-speed drug boat in the Gulf of Oman.
The operation, carried out by HMS Lancaster, resulted in the seizure of £35 million worth of illegal narcotics, including heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and hashish.
- More than 1.5 tonnes of narcotics were recovered from the scene.
- The Royal Marines' Maritime Sniper Team from 42 Commando took aim at the outboard engine of one of the boats, striking it with a single round.
- The vessels were intercepted during a dawn patrol by a Wildcat from 815 Naval Air Squadron.
The seizure represents one of the Royal Navy's most significant counter-narcotics operations in the Middle East in recent years.
Author's summary: Royal Marines stop £35m drug boat in Gulf of Oman.