At least five British soldiers have been arrested in a sting by military police on suspicion of dealing cocaine at their base.
The gunners from the Royal Artillery were hauled into custody after raids on military accommodation in Wiltshire last Tuesday.
While cases of soldiers being caught taking cocaine are not uncommon, it is rare for troops to be suspected of dealing Class A drugs.
Following the arrests, the camp at Larkhill was locked down while other troops underwent compulsory drug tests (CDTs).
Royal Military Police (RMP) officers accompanied by specialist military dog units swept through the base following a tip-off about drug dealing.
Emergency services were called to Larkhill Garrison (pictured) on the outskirts of Salisbury, Wiltshire after reports that a body of a woman in her 30s was discovered
The soldiers suspected of dealing face certain expulsion from the Army if found guilty. Anyone who purchased the drug will also face court martial.
While, officially, the Army says it operates a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards drug taking, junior soldiers with unblemished disciplinary records are often given a second chance.
Last night, a source at the base
