After seizing its cargo and detaining its crew, HMS Medway opened fire on the vessel (Picture: PA)
These dramatic pictures show the moment a Royal Navy crew destroyed a boat smuggling cocaine.
More than 400kg of Class A drugs were seized from the small vessel in the middle of the Caribbean.
It had set off from South America with three crew members and a cargo worth around £24 million on board.
But it was hunted down by HMS Medway, a British patrol ship, after it was spotted off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
After a tense chase, it was boarded and its crew was detained before the vessel was sent to the bottom of the ocean.
The ship’s gunnery team opened fire on the empty boat, which is believed to have used a well-worn smuggling route.
Commander Chris Hollingworth said: ‘To secure an interdiction on our first day dedicated to this type of operation in this period has been tremendous.
‘Everyone involved demonstrated their professionalism during a challenging pursuit.
Royal Navy officer boarded the vessel after chasing it down in the Carribbean (Picture: PA)
The small boat was sunk so it can’t be reused in the damaging trade (Picture: PA)
HMS Medway is stationed in the Caribbean and tasked with breaking up the drug trade (Picture: PA)
‘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.’
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.
Commander Hollingworth added: ‘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.
‘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.’
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The smugglers’ vessel was intercepted and blasted by a British ship in the Caribbean.