PRINCE WILLIAM WILL JOIN DRUGS FIGHT WITH NAVY

RINCE WILLIAM is to help in the battle against South American cocaine
gangs.

The 25-year-old Household Cavalry officer will join a warship on
"drugs watch" in the Caribbean.

His spell with the Navy will follow a four-month stint with the
RAF.

Both Clarence House officials and top brass want him to gain
experience as an officer in all three services.

A military source said: "Everyone agrees William needs operational
experience and to feel that he is playing a vital role in the armed
forces.

"But there are huge security issues with him going to either Iraq and
Afghanistan - it is far too risky to him and his comrades.

"The Caribbean is an ideal tour as it has operational potential and
diplomatically it works for the UK as well.

"Caribbean island governors will be very pleased to see a royal
visiting them."

The Navy have close links with Britain's Serious Organised Crime
Agency, who lead the UK's war on drugs.

Their operations are directed by the Marine Analysis Operations Centre
- - Narcotics, based in Lisbon.

The centre co-ordinate British, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese,
Irish and Italian warships.

Their intelligence has helped the Navy seize cocaine - mostly from
Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela - worth UKP1billion.