Royal Navy ship torches and sinks smugglers' boat containing £24m cocaine haul after dramatic Caribbean chase

29 October 2022, 14:56 | Updated: 29 October 2022, 15:28

Troops on the HMS Medway destroyed a smugglers' boat
Troops on the HMS Medway destroyed a smugglers' boat. Picture: Ministry of Defence

By Daisy Stephens

The Royal Navy has torched and sunk a boat after seizing a £24m haul of cocaine following a dramatic chase off the coast of the Dominican Republic.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Photos show the boat burning as sailors fire at it from the warship.

More than 400kg of drugs were seized from the vessel, which is believed to have come from South America.

Three crew members were detained before the boat was destroyed.

HMS Medway with the burning smugglers' boat in the distance
HMS Medway with the burning smugglers' boat in the distance. Picture: Ministry of Defence
Three smugglers were detained before the boat was destroyed
Three smugglers were detained before the boat was destroyed. Picture: Ministry of Defence

The Royal Navy's Caribbean-based patrol ship HMS Medway had spotted the boat near the Dominican Republic alongside a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and an accompanying aircraft.

Following an overnight operation to secure the contraband - estimated by the National Crime Agency to be worth around £24 million had it reached Britain's streets - the vessel was sunk by Medway's gunnery team.

The ship, which is thought to have travelled along a common smuggling route, was boarded by officers after a pursuit and found to contain several large packages of drugs, the Royal Navy said.

The boat was burned to prevent it being used for illegal purposes again
The boat was burned to prevent it being used for illegal purposes again. Picture: Ministry of Defence
More than 400kg of cocaine was seized
More than 400kg of cocaine was seized. Picture: Ministry of Defence

"To secure an interdiction on our first day dedicated to this type of operation in this period has been tremendous," said Commander Chris Hollingworth, commanding officer of Medway.

"Everyone involved demonstrated their professionalism during a challenging pursuit.

"It might be the first, but we're going to make sure that it won't be the last, and I speak on behalf of everyone here in saying this has galvanised our determination to succeed."

A Royal Navy sailor aims at the burning target
A Royal Navy sailor aims at the burning target. Picture: Ministry of Defence
The vessel being targeted during gunnery exercises
The vessel being targeted during gunnery exercises. Picture: Ministry of Defence
Cdr Hollingworth said a hole had been 'smashed' in the supply chain
Cdr Hollingworth said a hole had been 'smashed' in the supply chain. Picture: Ministry of Defence

The destruction of the vessel, which is normal for this type of operation, ensures it is no longer used for illegal activity while also providing gunnery training.

"Together with our partners on board Medway and up in the skies above us, we're able to smash a hole in the supply chain and disrupt the movement of these harmful drugs before they have the chance to harm people at home and abroad," Cdr Hollingworth said.

"I'm exceptionally proud of the collective effort of my ship's company and our colleagues from the US Coast Guard for their proactive attitude and total commitment to the task."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump has called for the "unconditional surrender" of Iran

Trump calls for 'unconditional surrender' from Iran - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

A man walks past empty shelves in a branch of the Co-op in Manchester following the major cyber attack.

Major UK supermarket offering 25% off £40 shops in ‘thank you’ to members after cyber attack

Cyclists are sending a record amount of video footage to police after being overtaken too closely by motorists, new figures show.

Cyclists sending record number of videos to police after being overtaken too closely by drivers, figures show

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief Nick Adderley slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador tells LBC

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages