On Friday, there were tears of joy in Plymouth when sailors onboard the HMS Montrose returned to the United Kingdom in time for Christmas to be reunited with their family.
Friday, the HMS Montrose docked in Devonport, Plymouth, after patrolling the waters of the Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea for the past three and a half years and seizing £80 million worth of narcotics.
Her crew participated in a Royal Navy mission to combat criminal and terrorist activity and secure trade boats.
Families and friends packed the pier to observe the vessel’s arrival, with many carrying posters or banners to welcome the men home.
One sailor was visibly moved as he picked up and held his young child, juggling teddy bears and a rose given to him upon his return.
As they near the United Kingdom’s beach, sailors wave to the crowds of people awaiting their return to Plymouth.
Flags of the Union Jack appeared alongside images of sailors embracing their children and kissing their partners and family members.
A large banner stating “Welcome home Kieran” was photographed with a family happily flying the Scottish flag.
When family and sailors finally met, there were many hugs and kisses among the joyous emotions and enthusiasm.
This included Commander Claire Thompson, the ship’s commanding officer.
She stated, “I missed my spouse, but he made a quick trip to Malta to see me.”
“One of my petty officers told me that he would cry like a baby on the homecoming.
“We’ve all been concentrating on Friday, December 16, and I just want to get home for the holidays.”
“I shall be the first to down the gangway, and my spouse must be there to meet me.”
On Friday, a sailor smiles while holding a tiny child who is well-wrapped against the cold.
Many of those awaiting their loved ones at the port on Friday held homemade banners or flags.
Families and friends present teddy bears to sailors upon their return home for Christmas.
A massive haul of 870 kilograms of crystal meth was found on a single boat in the Arabian Sea, shattering all prior Navy records.
This was HMS Montrose’s fifth drug seizure of the year, and it was estimated to be worth £15.5 million.
The small vessel was targeted by HMS Montrose after the ship’s Wildcat helicopter detected its movements.
During the six-hour operation, a Royal Marine boarding party discovered 870kg of crystal methamphetamine in a hidden compartment.
In 2019, HMS Defender discovered 131 kilograms of crystal meth aboard a dhow cruising in the Gulf of Oman. This haul substantially beat the previous record haul.
This year alone, the HMS Montrose, which has been stationed in the Middle East since 2019, has intercepted drugs worth approximately £47 million.
In its sixth narcotics raid of the year, HMS Montrose (shown with her crew of sailors and Royal Marines) captured a record-breaking £15.5 million worth of drugs from a dhow in the Arabian Sea (bottom center).
In a six-hour operation, a boarding party of Royal Marines (seen boarding the suspicious dhow) inspected the vessel and discovered 870kg of crystal methamphetamine in a concealed compartment.
According to the National Crime Agency, the haul (seen being accounted for and tested) had a record-breaking wholesale value of £15.5 million.
At the time of the raid, Commander Thompson stated, “We have halted the illegal usage of the waters.”
‘A confiscation of this magnitude will give a devastating blow to the criminal or terrorist organizations that use these illegal substances to support their operations.
This victory demonstrates that we will constantly deny criminals the ability to engage in illicit operations on the high seas.
To keep the United Kingdom and the rest of the world safe, it is vital to disrupt terrorist organizations, criminals, and their financial sources.
It is an honor to command HMS Montrose and the exceptionally competent, well-trained, and devoted personnel on my crew.
I could not be more pleased with every single one of them.
A Royal Navy spokesman added, “The mission has been crucial to the prosperity and security of the United Kingdom and the international community by protecting merchant shipping, combating criminal and terrorist activity including the smuggling of arms and drugs, and cooperating with regional allies.”
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