HMS Trent Seizes £750m in Drugs During Eight-Month Caribbean Mission

In a series of eight successful drug busts over the past seven months, the Portsmouth-based HMS Trent has prevented nearly £750 million worth of narcotics from reaching the streets of the UK and other destinations worldwide.

In a historic operation, HMS Trent, alongside the US Coast Guard and a US Maritime Patrol Aircraft, intercepted the Royal Navy’s first-ever ‘narco-sub’ – a semi-submersible vessel used to transport illicit drugs. The ship's boarding team, which included members of the US Coast Guard, Royal Marines from 47 Commando, and specialist sailors, boarded the vessel approximately 190 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic. The team successfully seized 2,000 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £160 million, delivering another major blow to the Caribbean drug trade.

Commander Tim Langford, HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, highlighted the ship's achievements: “It has been a busy yet rewarding eight months for Trent while deployed to the Caribbean, and this latest seizure reinforces the utility of Royal Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels in carrying out this vital task. My skilled team and our embarked USCG Law Enforcement Detachment overcame challenging conditions to interdict this semi-submersible – a rare sight in the Caribbean – and were rewarded with another record haul. These operations are a team effort, and every member of my crew can be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”

This eighth drug bust occurred on August 26, just 72 hours after another successful operation in which HMS Trent intercepted 462 kilograms of cocaine, worth £37 million. During a high-speed nighttime pursuit approximately 90 nautical miles north of the narco-sub’s location, Trent's sea boats captured two suspects and seized 12 bales of drugs, which were handed over to US authorities.

With these latest seizures, HMS Trent has confiscated a total of 9,459 kilograms of drugs, surpassing HMS Argyll to become the Royal Navy's most successful drug-busting vessel of the century, exceeding Argyll’s previous total of £620 million, including notable interceptions in the Caribbean in 2014.

These operations play a crucial role in disrupting Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and highlight the Royal Navy's essential role in maintaining maritime security and upholding international law. This mission is increasingly important, given the growing flow of narcotics to Europe and the UK, where an estimated 117 tonnes of drugs are consumed annually.

HMS Trent continues its patrol in the Caribbean, providing a reassuring presence to British Overseas Territories during hurricane season (June to November) and working to curb the flow of illegal cargo through the region. The ship is equipped with approximately 50 disaster relief specialists, including the Crisis Response Troop from 24 Commando Royal Engineers.

In addition to carrying equipment for repairing damaged infrastructure and life-saving medical supplies, HMS Trent is also equipped with a drone system called the Puma, which provides essential reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, operated by the 700X Naval Air Squadron. The ship recently visited the British Virgin Islands, where it assisted with repairs on Tortola following the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

With its continued presence and successful operations, HMS Trent has proven to be a formidable force in the fight against international drug trafficking, playing a key role in safeguarding UK interests and supporting regional security in the Caribbean.