WILLEMSTAD - Just before departure of naval vessel Zr.Ms. Holland to Haiti, the navy managed to track down more than 2,000 kilos of cocaine in a few days. The ship is currently fully engaged in providing relief to Haiti.
In the week before August 20, the day of departure for Haiti, the navy managed to keep more than 2,160 kilos of cocaine off the market in a few days. "This happened in an American-led partnership that focuses on international drug control," said Defense Caribbean. The seizure of the drugs was only announced today.
One of the interceptions was possible after a tip from the Caribbean Coast Guard. He discovered a suspicious go-fast. The NH90 maritime combat helicopter intercepted the go-fast. A Marine Corps sniper shot down the three outboard motors. This was necessary after stop signals and warning shots did not have the desired effect.
Once brought to a halt, a combined US Coast Guard and Marine Corps team stepped onto the go-fast. The team retrieved the discarded drug bales from the sea. It involved more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine.
After this, Sr.Ms. Holland involved in a seizure of about 800 kilograms of cocaine. These drugs were also aboard a go-fast. After being tipped off, the Holland sailed there. The United States Law Enforcement Detachment on board made this interception a success and seized the cocaine.
A few days later it happened again. Again, the naval vessel deployed the helicopter to force a go-fast to a stop. This succeeded after stop signals and warning shots. About 360 kilos of cocaine thrown overboard was then removed from the water. The suspects were later handed over to the US Coast Guard.
All of the suspects and the drugs were eventually turned over to the US Coast Guard for prosecution in the United States. The three catches were made in one week. There was another 4th of 1,325 kilos of drugs, but that has already been reported. "The frequency of four drug seizures in one week can be called unique," says Defense Caribbean.
