IN what's believed to be the army's biggest military drugs operation 19 soldiers from the UK's leading army base at Catterick Garrison have failed compulsory tests.

After the shock results the soldiers who are understood to have tested positive for cocaine or cannabis are now facing dismissal from the forces.

A spokesman for the Army said: "A number of soldiers from 1 YORKS recently failed a Compulsory Drugs Test called at the request of the unit.

"The Army does not tolerate drug abuse within its ranks as it is incompatible with military service and operational effectiveness. Army personnel caught taking drugs can expect to be discharged.."

The army refused to release further details but it was confirmed locally the soldiers were from the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment which is based at Catterick Garrison and largely recruits from across Teesside and Yorkshire. It's the North's leading Infantry battalion using Warrior Armoured Vehicles as part of 12 Armoured Infantry, part of the Army’s high-readiness brigade which can be sent into action around the world at short notice.

The majority of the soldiers involved are understood to be Privates but at least one was a Lance Corporal. The drugs were taken on the base and in private homes according to one local source.

Another supporter told a national newspaper: "This is off the scale, it has sent shockwaves through the Army. Nineteen in one round of testing is a large number and raises very serious questions. '

"Before lockdown, the regiment were being tested every few weeks but this latest round was the first for quite a long time. These are individual cases as well, it wasn't one wild night out. Jaws were on the floor with shock."

There were also reports that soldiers had complained of being bored and had had little to do during the lockdown.

The revelations come just a few months after ten soldiers were dismissed from the army after testing positive for drugs following a party at Albermarle Barracks near Newcastle. Nine members of 3rd Battalion, the Royal Horse Artillery, tested positive for cocaine and one for cannabis in February this year.

In December last year Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans told the Commons 543 soldiers had been dismissed from across the three armed services after testing positive for using drugs, 424 were from the army. He said drug usage in the Armed Forces was "unacceptable".