£50 million of cocaine has been removed from our streets as a result of recent activity in the Caribbean. A joint operation between the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the U.S. Coastguard Service was complemented by two MPs, Wyre Forest’s Mark Garnier and Hendon’s MP Matthew Offord - as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS).
The two MPs were stationed on the RFA’s 31,500 tonnes Fast Fleet Tanker Wave Ruler to see for themselves how narco-terrorism is being tackled by the Atlantic Patrol Task (North). During their time on board three operations were conducted, the third of which resulted in a major disruption of illegal drugs.
This occurred after the interception of a Go Fast, a speed boat with four powerful outboard engines but the operation was halted as information was received that a larger suspicious vessel was attempting to cross the banks of the Rosalind Channel off the coast of Honduras. This resulted in a 32 hour operation in which Matthew participated from the bridge and decks of the Wave Ruler.
Whilst giving chase using the Wave Ruler’s Lynx helicopter and a US Coastguard Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft (AWAC), Matthew was a first-hand observer as those on board the suspect vessel began disposing of large white bales into the sea. Photographic evidence was obtained of these actions and when the RFA’s ship was closer a decision was taken to apprehend the four man crew. This was achieved by an armed unit of the U.S. Coastguard’s Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET). Heavily armed with semi-automatic weapons and side arms, the three-man crew was lowered from the deck in a rigid inflatable boat and interdicted the suspect vessel. After being held for 24 hours on the open sea and with the rest of the operational team taking part in a large sea search, the U.S. authorities decided that the suspects should be released as it was concluded that the evidence had sunk to a depth from which the contraband was not recoverable. However, the photographic evidence indicated the amount of drugs which were dumped and the Wave Ruler has been credited with the ‘disruption’ of £50 million of Cocaine.
In addition to the narco-terrorism initiative Matthew also participated in the Royal Navy’s preparations for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) as it is currently hurricane season in the Caribbean. This programme became invaluable as Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall in Belize, whilst Matthew was in the country. Being assigned to the Royal Marines as part of the AFPS, Matthew also took the opportunity to meet a detachment Royal Marines on a training exercise in Belize.
Matthew said: “I gained an incredible insight into the activities of the various law enforcement agencies as they tackle narco-terrorism in the North Atlantic region. The results of the actions I have been involved with will have a direct consequence in crime reduction on the streets of the Hendon constituency, London and other towns and cities in the UK. This type of illegal drug destroys lives and I am proud to have been a part of an operation that has disrupted the supply.
I am also pleased to have made a contribution in the efforts to reduce the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes on British Overseas Territories. The Royal Navy not only provides direct assistance after a disaster but also gives massive reassurance by their presence. That is also a great relief to many of my constituents who originate from the Caribbean and still have friends and family in the region.”
Photo: (L-R) Mark Garnier MP, Pilot Lt Adam Rudkin RN, and Hendon's MP Matthew Offord