Sailors from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have spoken of their role in a £35-million cocaine drugs bust in the Caribbean.

The team were on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Mounts Bay and on hand to help US coastguards in the swoop.

Two speedboats packed with 1.4 tons of cocaine were incepted near the US Virgin Islands by an American helicopter operating from the Falmouth-based ship.

Managing the ship's flight deck were Culdrose aircraft handlers from 1700 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) which deploys specialist teams of sailors on warships and support ships to allow flying at sea. The squadron also had a medic on board RFA Mounts Bay.

1700 NAS's Leading Aircraft Controller Luke 'Dinger' Bell said:

"Since joining RFA Mounts Bay, we've hit the ground running and got stuck right in. January saw the arrival of a detachment from the United States Coast Guard along with their aircraft, a MH65D Dolphin helicopter.

"Immediately efforts were made by both nations to ensure that any ambiguity and differences in the way each of us operate were alleviated by good communication and planning. Over the course of the next few weeks, we conducted numerous sorties in continuous efforts to conduct counter-narcotics operations in the region.

"The flight deck team, led by Leading Airman Paul Girvin and Leading Airman Pritchard, have thoroughly enjoyed the task of integrating 1700 NAS with the US coastguard including the fast-paced change in tasking over the £35million drugs bust.

"At times, the heat made things uncomfortable. There were lows of around 28°C and highs of 33°C and the hours were long, often up to 14 hours a day in ever-changing weather conditions."

It was the helicopter crew which spotted one of the boats and Mounts Bay changed course to intercept. At close range, the US team was sent in to search the craft.

They found 44 large bails of cocaine and arrested the five crew. Also arrested was a second boat carrying fuel for the first, along with two more men.

Leading Hand Bell said they were proud to have played their part in the operation.

He added: "There was a job to be done and we did it to the best of our abilities while managing aviation safety at all times. Overall it has been a hugely gratifying experience for all of us."