(September 3rd 2001)
Coventry Seizes Drugs
HMS Coventry’s helicopter has helped seize £40 million worth of cocaine following a dramatic operation in the Caribbean.
During the evening of Monday September 3rd, the Lynx helicopter spotted a suspicious looking speedboat off Belize, heading towards Mexico at speeds of up to 37 knots. The 30ft "go-fast" vessel was equipped with three powerful outboard engines and carried several drums of fuel. The crew of four ignored attempts to make radio contact and refused to identify either themselves or their business.
HMS Coventry took up chase and gained ground as the speedboat slowed to refuel from one of the drums it was carrying, which was then thrown overboard. As the ‘go-fast’ resumed her course, she was forced to head toward nearby cays, coral reefs and mangrove swamps in order to hide herself from Coventry’s helicopter.
At this point the Lynx helicopter lost contact with the ‘go-fast’, and returned to HMS Coventry to refuel. The search was resumed soon after sunset and although visual contact was difficult the Lynx was able to follow the ‘go-fast’ using its infra-red detection radar. Fifty minutes after leaving Coventry, the Lynx crew witnessed the ‘go-fast’ beach itself in the mangroves at Hick Cay, and the crew of four fled. Coventry’s helicopter then guided two Belize police boats to the abandoned vessel, where they seized 1,000 kg of cocaine, with a street value of £40 million. The Belize authorities then began a search for the four crew members.
The Lynx helicopter was commanded by Lieutenant Nigel Cunningham, whose naval career began as a chef on the aircraft carrier Invincible during the Falklands War.
HMS Coventry, under the command of Captain Philip Jones RN, arrived at the Caribbean at the end of July having taken over from HMS Sheffield.