For the fourth time in a short period, Royal Netherlands Navy vessel HNLMS Amsterdam has interdicted an illegal drug transport in the Caribbean Sea. A gunner from the maritime helicopter NH90 eliminated one of the outboard engines to stop the go fast smuggling the drugs. HNLMS Amsterdam prevented the transport of 650 kilograms of cocaine.
Warning shots
It was an American patrol aircraft that spotted a fast smuggling boat, going from the Colombian coast in Northerly direction. HNLMS Amsterdam was at that time patrolling in the vicinity. The ship reacted immediately by launching its NH90 helicopter. When the helicopter arrived at the go-fast, the clear stop signs were ignored and the speedboat continued at the same speed. Warning shots were fired from the helicopter, but the go fast didn’t react to this either and fled away. The helicopter was forced to use disabling fire on the outboard engines of the go-fast.
Engines elimated
The gunner in the helicopter got the opportunity to eliminate one of the two outboard engines, so that the go-fast was very limited in her propulsion. After the outboard engine was eliminated, the crew of the go-fast started to ditch their contraband, but they were too late. A rubberboat was launched from HNLMS Amsterdam with the Law Enforcement and Detachement Team of the US Coast Guard on board. They detained the go-fast crew.
This was the fourth interdiction of a go fast in three weeks. In total, the navy ship prevented 3600 kilogram of cocaine from being transported.