British Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster in March seized an estimated £5.4 million ($7 million) of illicit drugs in the northern Arabian Sea, dealing a major blow to drug trafficking in the region.

In its first bust of the year, the warship's sailors and Royal Marines seized 340kg of heroin and 83kg of methamphetamine -- courtesy of an operator of the new Peregrine remote-controlled mini helicopter.

During a night flight, the uncrewed mini-helicopter's operator spotted two boats side-by-side in the Arabian Sea.

The Lancaster's crew launched its Wildcat helicopter, which observed the crews of the two small vessels transferring packages, and the frigate set off to the location and dispatched fast-boat teams for interdiction.

Realizing they had been discovered, the smugglers began throwing their cargo overboard. The Lancaster's crew retrieved and tested the packages, revealing their illicit contents.

Named for the fast, light bird of prey, the Peregrine proved its mettle during the interdiction. Measuring a mere three meters in length, the mini-helicopter is a new feature of the Royal Navy's arsenal and its first remotely piloted helicopter.

The Peregrine can fly sorties of up to six hours. Its range extends to 180km, and it can fly to a ceiling of up to 5,500 meters -- outside the human visual range and useful for long-range surveillance operations.

Combined Task Force 150

The United Kingdom's dedicated support to peace and security in the region is key to maintaining open sea lanes.

HMS Lancaster, a Duke-class Type 23 frigate, was operating as part of the international Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 when it made the bust.

The frigate operates out of Bahrain, where it has been based for more than two years.

CTF 150, which is currently under the leadership of New Zealand, is one of five task forces organized by the 46-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Specifically tasked with the disruption of criminal and terrorist groups' maritime movement, CTF 150 prevents them from moving weapons and fighters and profiting from illicit trade and illegal drugs.

CTF 150 oversees the area outside the Arabian Gulf -- the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman -- to ensure commercial shipping can transit the region in safety.

This is not the first time the Lancaster has been behind a major drug bust in the Middle East.

In June 2024, in two separate seizures in the Indian Ocean spanning only 24 hours, the Lancaster seized nearly four tons of drugs -- $41 million of heroin, crystal meth and hashish.

While patrolling the Arabian Sea in October 2023, the Lancaster seized 450kg of illegal drugs, including heroin and hashish.