MOSCOW, September 28 (RIA Novosti) - The...

According to a statement issued by the Royal Navy, "it is the largest drugs bust by value, and by volume, in terms of cocaine," the EFE news agency reported.

Iron Duke intercepted the Cristal fishing boat on September 15 in a joint operation with another British warship, RFA Fort George, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The drugs, packed in 212 sacks weighing about 26 kilograms each, were found hidden underneath concrete blocks and sheets of metal in the ship"s hold.

Several drug runners of different nationalities were arrested, the agency cited the commander of the British warship, Cdr. Andrew Stacey, as saying.

The Iron Duke frigate, which patrols waters off South America on stand-by to take part in anti-drugs operations, has already been involved in two operations in the area since the beginning of this year, with cocaine worth an estimated $62 mln seized.