Dozens of Royal Navy crew caught using hard drugs while serving on nuclear submarines | UK | News
File image of Royal Navy Vanguard class submarine (Image: Getty)
New figures from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) show 175 Royal Navy submariners were caught using drugs between 2018 and 2024. Staff have reportedly tested positive for a range of banned or illegal substances, including cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and steroids, during mandatory, random drug testing.
Traces of other banned drugs such as benzodiazepine, a drug that treats anxiety and insomnia, were also found. In 52 of the cases, it was reported that the submariners were serving on the submarine when their tests were positive. It is said that almost all of those caught were dismissed.
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Figures published by the Ministry of Education TelegramIt was revealed through a Freedom of Information request.
A submarine search during this period did not turn up any drugs, the ministry said.
Some of those who failed drug tests are believed to be working on the Navy’s four Vanguard-class submarines carrying the UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent missiles, The Telegraph reported.
The Submarine Service has come under increasing pressure in recent years due to repeated problems with availability, leading to longer deployments below the waves.
Former Navy commanders worry that some submariners may turn to drugs to cope with the demands they face.
Former submarine captain Ryan Ramsey said he was “not shocked” by the figures but was disappointed.
He told The Telegraph: “This is probably symptomatic of a shift in society towards drugs and boredom at not being able to be at sea on operations.
“The Royal Navy detection system is clearly working and they are dealing with those caught, but this does not get to the root cause of why individuals are doing this.
“The impact of losing people you’ve spent money and time on specialist submarine training for is huge. This means that if people suddenly leave, the burden on others on board increases.”
Philip Ingram, a former military officer, said the figures “reflect the prevalence of drugs in society, with service personnel often under great pressure succumbing to temptation like their civilian counterparts”.
But he added that there was “no place” for drugs in the military and “there should never be an excuse”.
A Navy spokesman said: “We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy against drug misuse. Any individual found to be in breach of this policy may face serious consequences, including immediate discharge from the Service.
“Such behavior is completely incompatible with the high standards of professionalism, discipline and integrity expected.
“All staff are required to receive mandatory alcohol and substance abuse training every two years and ensure they are fully aware of their responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance.”
