London, October 31 (RHC-Mercopress) -- A Royal Navy warship has seized cocaine with a wholesale value of US$15 million from a yacht in the Caribbean.

Just 24 hours after helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo in Bermuda, the Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll’s Lynx helicopter spotted the yacht in the Atlantic.

A search by the US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, working from HMS Argyll, uncovered 10 bales of cocaine which were confiscated before the two crew members were taken into custody.

UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon congratulated HMS Argyll and the crew.

“This is yet another clear demonstration of the flexibility and versatility of the Royal Navy. HMS Argyll and her crew are playing a key role in disrupting the drugs trade which blights the UK.

This is HMS Argyll’s second bust in two 2 months having seized £21 million of cocaine in August.

The ship is operating as part of a 15-nation collaboration to stop criminal organizations getting access to regions of Central America, with a focus on the illegal movement of drugs from South America to the western world.

The Type 23 frigate is deployed to the North Atlantic and Caribbean region to provide reassurance and, if required, humanitarian aid and disaster relief support to the UK’s British Overseas Territories and other islands during the hurricane season.

HMS Argyll also holds counter narcotics patrols in conjunction with the US Coast Guard and other partner nations to enhance regional security and deter illicit activity.