Within 1 hour a direct hit for HLNMS Friesland: 3.000 kilograms drugs intercepted
The Dash-8 Patrol aircraft of the Coastguard Caribbean Region on May 29, discovered a suspicious small vessel on the Caribbean Sea. HLNMS Friesland headed towards the vessel and immediately launched two FRISC’s, (Fast Raiding Interception Special Forces Craft). A persecution followed during which the smugglers dumped the drugs in sea. More than packages containing drugs were removed from the sea; a total of 1.837 kilo cocaine and 1.173 kilo marihuana. The confiscated drugs were handed over to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Commander of the HLNMS Friesland, Kirsten Gouw-Savelberg, emphasized the interest of rapid deployment and international cooperation: “This successful interception shows of what a well-trained and integrated team is able to accomplish. We are ready for what is coming.”
HLNMS Friesland to weeks ago, on May 23, arrived in the Caribbean Region and since them is the station ship for Defence, in the Caribbean Region. The execution of counter drugs operations is one of her tasks, Hereby the ship works interchanging with the US Coast Guard and the Coastguard Caribbean Region. Besides that, the ship is ready for rendering humanitarian aid, for example in the event of natural disasters such as hurricanes.
