Moment ‘disruptive’ Ryanair passengers are ‘led off plane by police’ after Morocco-bound flight was forced to U-turn and land at Stansted after ‘drug and verbal abuse’

A Ryanair flight bound for Morocco had to make a U-turn and fly back to Stansted after reports of a group of 'disruptive passengers abusing staff and drugs' on board.

The plane was destined for Marrakech but returned to Essex airport after an hour's flight, where it was boarded by police.

Footage shows men being led off the flight, but Essex Police later said no arrests had been made.

A passenger on the flight said others were disturbed by the incident.

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The 25-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: “It was very chaotic. Everyone was panicking and wondering what was going on. One guy was doing the brace position when we landed.

'About an hour into the flight we found out the plane was returning to Stansted. When we finally landed, about four armed police officers came on board.”

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: 'Officers from Stansted Airport assisted after a plane was returned to the airport at around 4.15pm on December 7. This was in response to reports of drug use and verbal abuse on board.

'Once the plane landed, officers carried out searches and no drugs were found. No arrests have been made. The matter is now managed by the airline.”

A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'This flight from Stansted to Marrakech (7 December) was returning to Stansted Airport shortly after take-off when a small group of passengers caused disruption during the flight.

'The crew requested police assistance in advance and the aircraft was met by local police on arrival at Stansted Airport. This is now a matter for the local police.

'To minimize disruption to passengers, Ryanair transferred passengers to an alternative aircraft which departed for Marrakech later that evening.

'Ryanair apologizes for any inconvenience caused to passengers as a result of these disruptive passengers.'