 |
answer text |
<p>Defence supports the UK Government and international efforts to tackle the threat
from illicit drugs. Our main efforts are focused on seizure and disruption of illicit
narcotics on the high seas. All Royal Navy ships conduct maritime security tasks while
on operations and transiting between ports. This includes counter narcotics, counter
piracy, and anti people smuggling and human trafficking.</p><p>The Royal Navy is involved
in multinational counter-narcotic operations primarily in the Caribbean and Indian
Ocean. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary also operates with US and other international partners
to stem the flow of drugs from Latin America through the Caribbean, and across the
Atlantic to UK and Europe.</p><p>At present RAF MOUNTS BAY is deployed to the Atlantic
Patrol Task North and conducts counter narcotic operations as part of the deployment,
generally outside the core hurricane period. In support of this task she routinely
embarks a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment to assist.</p><p>The Royal Navy
contributes to the Combined Maritime Force, headquartered in Bahrain, which promotes
security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of
international waters, encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes.</p><p>Last
week HMS Dragon, a Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer, interdicted 3,048kg of hashish from
a dhow acting suspiciously in the Indian Ocean, along an area stretching from the
Makran Coast to East Africa known as 'The Hash Highway.' HMS Dragon is part of the
Royal Navy's commitment to the Combined Task Force 150 conducting operations in the
wider Indian Ocean/North Arabian sea region.</p>
|
|
