A Royal Navy warship has seized heroin with a street value of £9 million during a drugs bust carried out while on patrol in the Gulf.

The seizure of 49kg of the class A substance is the fifth drugs bust in the region in three months for Portsmouth-based HMS Dragon.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "The sale of these drugs is a known source of funding for terrorist organisations and criminal networks."

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Heroin destroys lives, but thanks to the tireless work of HMS Dragon's crew, these criminals will not be distributing this poison and will instead face justice.

"These drugs would have had a wide distribution network across the globe, highlighting exactly why we are committed to the region - because Gulf security is our security."