Navy hails pirate mission success

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HMS Portland "detected, intercepted and boarded" two suspicious skiffs while conducting a patrol in the Gulf of Aden.

After the chase naval officers, working with their Spanish counterparts, found grappling hooks, rocket propelled grenades, machine guns and ammunition on board.

But despite the deadly cargo, the 10-strong crew onboard went free due to "insufficient evidence".

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) which ran the operation admitted these were not the kind of items found on an "innocent fishing vessel".

The CMF explained in a statement: "Due to insufficient evidence to directly link the group to a specific attack, the suspected pirates were disarmed and released. Having prevented this group of pirates from reaching their merchant traffic prey Portland destroyed one of the skiffs and confiscated all their weapons."

Commodore Tim Lowe, CMF Deputy Commander, said: "This is an excellent example of international co-ordination.

"This international collaboration cannot be understated and as more countries join the fight, we will continue to work together to help deter, disrupt and thwart criminal acts of piracy in the maritime environment."

Portland's boarding team consisted of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel.

The ship's Lynx helicopter, equipped with a machine gun and snipers, provided cover throughout the operation, while the boarding team was inserted using armed inflatable boats.