WILLEMSTAD - In a joint action at sea, the naval vessel Hr.Ms. Groningen and a team of a Metal Shark patrol boat intercepted a sailing boat with drugs. The operation on the suspected sailing boat was initiated in the early morning of September 22, 2020.
On the radar systems of the Coast Guard and the HNLMS Groningen, a speeding go-fast was detected which behaved suspiciously and stopped alongside a sailing boat. After a possible contraband overload, the go-fast headed south again. The Sr. Ms. Groningen, which sailed near the sailing boat, directed its two fast boats, the so-called FRISCs, to the vessel. The sailboat was then approached by the FRISCs for a check on board. After consultation with the Caribbean Coast Guard, the sailboat was transferred to a Metal Shark of the Coast Guard. After the transfer of the sailing vessel, the Metal Shark towed the vessel towards Curaçao. Along the way, the Coast Guard patrol boat received assistance from the cutter Jaguar which towed the sailing vessel to the Coast Guard dock for further investigation in Willemstad. During an extensive check, approximately 80 kilos of cocaine was found in three bales. The only person on board the sailing vessel, a man of British nationality, was arrested. Both the drugs and the man have been handed over to the police.
The Coastguard and Groningen continue to patrol the coastlines of the islands intensively. In addition to HNLMS Groningen, navy officers also patrol the land guarding the islands. The Coast Guard is calling on all citizens who observe suspicious situations at sea and along the coastlines to call the emergency number 913. With your cooperation, we keep the sea and the coastlines of the islands safe even during the corona crisis.
