The Dutch naval vessel Zr.Ms. Groningen intercepted two drug shipments in the Caribbean Sea on 13 and 25 February.
Zr.Ms. Groningen was informed about the two go-fasts by an American patrol plane during her patrol. The go-fasts were pursued by the fast interceptor boat, the FRISC, with a combined team of the ship’s crew and US Coast Guard on board, which was embarked on board Zr.Ms. Groningen. The first go-fast managed to escape, but threw its contraband overboard, which was picked up from the water by the FRISC.
The suspected smugglers on board the second go-fast only surrendered after warning shots were fired from the NH-90 maritime attack helicopter.
The two suspects and the contraband have been turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard for prosecution in the United States. In total, over 500 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
From January 2025, Zr.Ms. Groningen will be active in the region as a Caribbean station ship and will alternate cooperation during counter-drug operations with the Caribbean Coast Guard and the American Coast Guard.