A destroyer on operations intercepted two boats carrying the haul of drugs during a 48-hour window "on a notorious drug smuggling route known as the Hash Highway", according to the navy.

The seizure by HMS Dragon was the largest ever by a multi-national policing operation targeting Gulf waters and had a street value of pound75 million (83 million euros, $95 million), it added.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said it represented "a significant dent in the pockets of criminals who seek to put these drugs onto our streets".

"The global narcotics network is a scourge that we are absolutely committed to tackling, as part of our commitment to security in the Gulf and across the world," he added.