The six soldiers of the Irish Guards from the Queen’s troops and a veteran sergeant were arrested this week in a drugs sting operation carried out by the Royal Military Police, according to The Mirror.
The soldiers were detained on suspicion of having dealings with drugs. They also face charges of money-laundering and loan-shark operations, according to the report.
Later, five of them were released on bail.
“As part of a planned operation, the Royal Military Police arrested six Irish Guards soldiers and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran from across the UK on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs and money-lending and laundering offences,” an Army spokeman said, as quoted by The Mirror.
He added that the Army “does not tolerate any type of illegal or fraudulent behaviour”.
They were detained on Wednesday in Hampshire, Berkshire, North Wales and Northern Ireland.
According to report, the soldiers under investigation were set to take part in Trooping the Colour for the Queen’s Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee.
Celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne will take place throughout 2022, but the main events will take place between June 2 and 5.
According to a report, Soldiers from the Queen’s troop have been arrested in a ‘drugs sting’ just days before the Platinum Jubilee parade.
Six serving members of the Irish Guards were held on suspicion of dealing an illegal substance, as well as running a loan shark operation.
The regiment was due to lead the Trooping of the Colour in the traditional red tunics as the Royal Family watch on from Buckingham Palace balcony next Thursday (June 2).
An ex-sergeant from the Coldstream Guards was also arrested.
The suspects were detained on Wednesday during raids in Hampshire, Berkshire, North Wales and Northern Ireland.
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According to a report, the sting was led by the Royal Military Police and has taken several months to orchestrate.
It is alleged they were conspiring to supply drugs, as well lend money and other laundering offences.
Five have been released on bail.
An Army spokesperson told the Mirror: “As part of a planned operation the Royal Military Police arrested six Irish Guards soldiers and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran from across the UK on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs and money lending and laundering offences.
“The Army does not tolerate any type of illegal or fraudulent behaviour.
“As this is now the subject of an independent Royal Military Police investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further.”
The MOD added there were no arrests at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
And none of the soldiers under investigation will participate in planned Queen’s Platinum Jubilee parades.
The Queen’s Guard led a Trooping the Colour parade last Saturday and are due to lead another next week.
A source at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hants, where the 1st Battalion Irish Guards are based, told The Sun: “They came in like the DEA (US Drug Enforcement Administration) — kicking down doors.
“There was no warning. We were told they had been planning the operation for months.
“It wasn’t just the barracks. They searched the soldiers’ homes off base. It’s all come as a huge shock.”
Buckingham Palace did not wish to comment when approached by the Mirror.
