Prince William's Ship Makes Drug Bust
Britain's defense ministry says the Royal Navy ship where Prince William is serving has made a major cocaine bust at sea.
The prince helped his crew mates on HMS Iron Duke intercept a speedboat northeast of Barbados on Saturday. He was aboard a helicopter attached to the frigate that spotted a speedboat and grew suspicious that such a small vessel should be so far from land, the ministry said.
The helicopter crew informed the ship's commanding officer, and the ship gave chase. U.S. Coast Guard officials working on the British frigate boarded the speedboat and found 45 bales of cocaine weighing 1,900 pounds. Five people were detained.
"He was in the helicopter on Saturday morning when the search was conducted," Commanding Officer Mark Newland told Sky News. "He was able to provide surveillance to the team. He's a professional navy officer, he understands the context we're operating in so he's able to help in every way."
The drugs had an estimated street value of $80 million, the ministry said Wednesday.
William, known in the navy as Sub-Lieutenant Wales, is spending five weeks at sea so he can experience all branches of the British armed forces. He is already a junior officer in the army and he has earned his wings in the Royal Air Force.
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Newland said he had been ordered to involve the prince in all operations.
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The Iron Duke began hurricane relief and counter-narcotics duties in the Atlantic last week and is due to remain in the area until October.