Heroin seized by Navy warship in Indian Ocean

Heroin with an estimated street value of £14 million has been seized from a dhow on the Indian Ocean by a Royal Navy warship, the MoD said today.

Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster intercepted the vessel and found on board more than 70 bales containing 180kg of pure heroin.

The frigate had scrambled its Merlin helicopter and combined Royal Marines and Royal Navy boarding teams to search the boat.

Captain Nick Hine, Westminster's commanding officer said: "This has been a successful day for Westminster and for Combined Maritime Forces.

"These smugglers have failed in their quest to make money by bringing misery to those addicted to this harmful substance in the cities around the world."

PA