Plymouth Royal Marines in another successful drugs haul in Middle East

HMS Dragon was deployed to the Middle East in September last year. Credit: PA images

Plymouth Royal Marines have seized more than 2,500 kg of cannabis in another successful drugs haul on HMS Dragon.

The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer completed its eighth drug haul after stopping a fishing vessel sailing through the Arabian Sea.

It comes after HMS Dragon claimed the record for the highest number of successful drug busts and total weight of drugs seized by a Royal Navy ship in the Middle East.

The team from Plymouth's 42 Commando were beginning their journey back to the UK after deploying to the Middle East in September last year.

They immediately changed their course to intercept the suspected drug smugglers and search the vessel.

2,540kg of cannabis was found hidden beneath fishing nets and fuel tanks.

Watch the footage here:

HMS Dragon has now secured a record haul of drugs from criminals across the open seas since its deployment to the Middle East last year.

Their seizures total more than £145 million.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "The work of HMS Dragon and her crew in combating this evil trade over the last few weeks has been outstanding and they fully deserve their place in the record books."

During her time in the Middle East, HMS Dragon has supported the Combined Task Force 150. This is a multi-national initiative to catch criminals at sea.