At dawn in the Gulf of Oman, a single shot from a Royal Marine sniper brought a high-speed drug chase to a stunning halt, and wiped £35 million worth of narcotics off the streets.
From the open door of a Wildcat helicopter, the sniper took aim at a skiff tearing across the water at more than 40 knots. One perfectly placed, non-lethal round ripped through the boat’s engine, and just like that, the chase was over.
What followed was a major drugs bust led by HMS Lancaster, working alongside elite Royal Marines from 42 Commando. The crew seized more than 1.5 tonnes of heroin, crystal meth and hashish, the first time British snipers have ever used precision fire to disable a vessel in the Gulf.
‘A Remarkable Shot’
Armed Forces Minister Al Carns praised the remarkable precision of the mission, saying:
“Halting a boat travelling at 40 knots with a single non-lethal shot from a Royal Marines sniper is remarkable, and a real testament to the skill and training of our personnel.
This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, disrupting criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.”
Operation at Dawn
The drama unfolded when HMS Lancaster launched her Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron on a dawn patrol. Crew members spotted three fast-moving skiffs and covertly shadowed them, relaying live intelligence back to the warship.
To maintain cover, the ship deployed a Peregrine mini-helicopter, streaming real-time footage to the operations room as the Wildcat refuelled and embarked a Maritime Sniper Team, the Royal Marines’ boarding specialists.
When the helicopter reappeared, the smugglers panicked, throwing packages overboard and pushing their engines to the limit. Two boats were abandoned, but one refused to stop. That’s when the sniper took the shot that disabled its engine and ended the chase.
Recovered from the waves were bundles of heroin, meth and hashish, more than £35 million worth in total.
Precision, Teamwork, and the End of an Era
Commander Sam Stephens, HMS Lancaster’s commanding officer, called the mission “a highly successful bust,” adding:
“This operation saw Lancaster’s crewed and uncrewed aircraft working hand-in-glove under the direction of the ship’s operations room. The outcome was a highly successful bust, removing large quantities of narcotics from the streets and preventing their profits from fuelling extremism.”
Lieutenant Guy Warry, the Wildcat pilot who flew the sniper into position, said the moment was unforgettable:
“Being the Wildcat pilot carrying out a live weapons firing on drug-running skiffs whilst flying backwards to provide a stable platform for the snipers was definitely a career highlight.”
This marks HMS Lancaster’s second major bust in months, following a £30m narcotics seizure in May. But it also comes as the frigate nears the end of her service. Once she’s decommissioned later this year, the Royal Navy is set to lose its last significant presence in the Gulf region, a bittersweet end to an extraordinary chapter.
