Dutch naval ship HNLMS Groningen intercepted two drug shipments in the Caribbean Sea on February 13 and 25.
HNLMS Groningen was informed about the two go-fasts by an American patrol aircraft during its patrol. The go-fasts were chased and forced to stop by the fast interceptor boat, the FRISC, carrying a combined team of the ship’s crew and a US Coast Guard law enforcement detachment assigned on board HNLMS Groningen. One go-fast managed to escaped but threw contraband overboard which was picked up by the FRISC.
The suspected smugglers on the second go-fast surrendered after the Dutch helicopter fired warning shots. The two suspects and the contraband were later transferred to the crew of US Coast Guard for prosecution in the United States. A total of more than 500 kilograms of cocaine was seized.
Zr.Ms. Groningen is patrolling in the region as a station ship Caribbean since January 2025 and alternates coordination for counter-drug operations with the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard.
