Headquarters (Multi National Division) South East
British Forces Post Office 641 PRESS INFORMATION CENTRE
Telephone: 00870 600 322 756
00870 763 665 814
Mobile: 00965 9113350
E-mail: picbasrah@defencemediaops.co.uk
Ser No: 6/11 Date of Release: 24 Nov 03
PRESS RELEASE
CAR CHASE ENDS IN DRUGS SEIZURE
British troops based in Basrah seized drugs worth an estimated $150,000 after
pursuing a suspicious car through the city.
Six soldiers from A Squadron, 9 th /12 th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales’s) spotted
two cars travelling at high speed at around 7.45pm on 23 November and gave
chase. One of the vehicles crashed a short time later and the driver was
arrested. Unluckily, the other car escaped.
The patrol found 51kgs of cannabis in the boot of the crashed car, wrapped in cat
food bags and disguised as coffee.
The incident, in the Az Zubayr area of Basrah city, follows continuing joint
operations by Coalition Forces and Iraqi police to crack down on crime south of
Al Basrah.
Patrol commander, Captain Matt Eyre-Brook, said the seizure was the latest in a
series of successes against criminals in their area.
“This was very exciting and a great round-off to an excellent week,” he said. “As
well as this drugs find, we have arrested two hijackers and seized weapons and
grenades.
“We were also the first to respond to a road traffic accident where we were able
to administer first aid to the injured. Sadly, they passed away later in hospital
due to their critical injuries.”
Lieutenant Colonel Julian Free, the soldiers’ commanding officer, said they would
continue to target criminals in the area.
“This latest success is a result of well planned operations and the quick reactions
of soldiers on the ground.”
ENDS