Melbourne, July 27 : Prince William took part in a British navy helicopter raid that opened fire on a speedboat believed to be used by drug runners, reports the Ministry of Defence.

On July 18, the 26-year-old, who is serving with British frigate HMS Iron Duke in the Caribbean, was on a Lynx helicopter that chased down the speedboat suspected of involvement in trafficking cocaine, reports News. com. au.

The helicopter chased the 9m boat about 175 km north of Venezuela''s and Colombia''s coastlines as it tried to avoid detection and ignored warning shots.

The military said commandos from the Royal Marines aboard the helicopter used high-power, long-range rifles to disable the boat''s engine while the Prince played ‘a sort of lookout role’.

The HMS Iron Duke, then arrived and three Colombians were arrested with traces of cocaine detected but no drugs found on board.

The speedboat was later sunk by the Iron Duke under the authority of the US Coast Guard team working aboard.

The three arrested men were handed to Colombian authorities. (ANI)