This is the moment a Royal Navy sniper takes out the engine of a drug-dealing speedboat crashing through waves at nearly 50mph – as his helicopter flies backwards.
As the sun rose over the Gulf of Oman, the Royal Marines were secretly tracking the skiff carrying £35m of crystal meth, heroin and hashish used to fund terror attacks in the region.
The drug boat’s crew tried offloading crates to get away from the Wildcat helicopter but were left stranded by the ‘remarkable shot’ – their operation smashed.
The commando sniper’s shot brought an end to ‘one of the most dramatic counter-drugs intercepts the Royal Navy has been involved with in the Middle East’, according to the force.
After the targets were identified, the HMS Lancaster launched a Peregrine mini-helicopter drone to provide a live video feed to the ship’s operations room.
After refuelling, the Wildcat helicopter gave chase.
Two of the drug boats quickly gave up escaping and abandoned ship upon seeing the Wildcat helicopter.
But a third carried on fleeing.
With the helicopter pilot flying backwards to give the marine sniper a steady shot on the outboard engine, they fired, taking it out with a single round, dramatically ending the escape.
The crew of the warship’s sea boat recovered the discarded packages and found the sinking skiff.
More than 1½ tonnes of heroin, crystal methamphetamine and hashish with an estimated UK street value in excess of £35M were recovered.
‘I’m hugely proud of the team’s professionalism, patience, and skill throughout what was a protracted chase,’ said HMS Lancaster commander Sam Stephens.
‘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.’
Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Guy Warry added: ‘Non-lethal disabling fire has not been seen in the region and was essential in preventing the drug runners from moving their product.
‘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.’
The ship’s success was also praised by Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns.
‘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,’ he said.
‘This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.’