By Ben Kerrigan-
Six soldiers and a veteran have been arrested on suspicion of drug, money-lending and money-laundering offences, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The MoD today confirmed the shocking news that the six Irish Guards troops and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran were arrested by the Royal Military Police as part of a “planned operation”.
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The news comes days before the regiment was to lead the Trooping of the Colour on Thursday 2 June, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The MoD said none of the soldiers under investigation would take part in planned schedule to lead Thursday’s Trooping the colour for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
An MoD spokesperson said: “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.
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“None of the soldiers under investigation will participate in planned Queen’s Platinum Jubilee parades.
“The army does not tolerate any type of illegal or fraudulent behaviour.
The Irish Guards have been the most operationally active unit in the British Army over recent years.
The soldiers range in rank from guardsman to sergeant. Three of the suspects remain in custody, while police continue their investigations into allegations that the seven soldiers were involved in supplying drugs.
The Irish Guards have been deployed as part of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The regiment – which counts the Duke of Cambridge as its royal colonel – also guards royal palaces, where they can be seen wearing the distinctive red tunic and bearskin hat.
Three weeks ago, a number of British soldiers were arrested on suspicion of dealing cocaine at their military base.
An army spokesperson said those taken into custody belonged to Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire.
They were arrested by the Royal Military Police last Tuesday.
Officers reportedly raided military accommodation in Wiltshire with specialist dog units following a tip-off.
The sting resulted in at least five gunners from the Royal Artillery being arrested on suspicion of dealing the class A drug.
The Sun revealed that at least one of the Irish Guards arrested had met the Duchess of Cambridge at a St Patrick’s Day parade.
He described her as “absolutely stunning”.
The Duchess often hands out shamrocks at the March 17 event.
The elite Irish Guards are the lead regiment for the Platinum Jubilee Trooping the Colour.
Last week, Prince William presented the Irish Guards with new colours – a flag that acts as a rallying point for troops – ready for them to lead the parade on the Queen’s birthday as the Platinum Jubilee weekend begins.
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