Hero Royal Marines battling the drug smugglers

ROYAL Marine commandos have revealed a rare insight into their operations to smash sea-going drug smugglers.

- Michael Knowles

The Daily Express joined a team on frigate HMS Lancaster, currently in the Gulf of Oman.

The Marines board boats used on routes to transport heroin, crystal meth and hashish.

More boats have been leaving Balochistan, a breakaway region in Pakistan. And their smugglers are brazen.

Marines often catch the same criminals, disguised as fishermen, who simply move to the front of their dhows and wait as Royal Navy vessels close in.

Elite

The drugs intercepted in the Gulf are around 80-90 per cent pure. After being "cut" in eastern Africa, the vast majority is destined for Europe.

Royal Marines will often feel the hands of the fishermen, to see evidence of hauling nets in and out of water all day.

The elite troops are hoping to disrupt more smuggling routes in the coming weeks.