Soldiers charged with gun smuggling

By Joe Sinclair, PA

Nine soldiers will be prosecuted over allegations of smuggling guns out of Iraq to trade for drugs and cash, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldiers, from the 3rd Battalion of The Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of Wellington's Regiment), have been charged in relation to a number of firearms and drugs offences.

They will appear at a directions hearing at Catterick Garrison on November 30, which will determine whether there will be a court-martial.

Royal Military Police carried out a criminal investigation into the "unlawful possession" of weapons after soldiers belonging to the battalion were allegedly caught smuggling stolen guns out of Iraq.

The case was then passed to the Army Prosecuting Authority (APA), who have now decided to prosecute.

An APA spokesman told the Yorkshire Post: "The Army Prosecuting Authority has issued prosecution papers. The charges relate to a number of firearms and drugs offences."

The Yorkshire Regiment, nicknamed the Yorkshire Warriors, is an armoured infantry regiment currently based in Warminster, Wiltshire. It completed a tour of duty in Iraq last year.

It was formed in June 2006 with the merger of The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, The Green Howards, and their respective Territorial Army elements.

The regiment website says it reflects the values of "honesty, fairness, grit and pride".

The website says: "The Regiment is founded on over 300 years of Yorkshire warrior tradition and united by common values, history and home. It represents all that is best in the Army, in professionalism, in role, on operations, for career, for sport and for family. It is the best because its soldiers are the best."

An MoD spokesman said: "Any section of the Army does not condone illegality. Any allegation is investigated thoroughly and the Army and regiment will assist this process in any way they can."