The Royal Netherlands Navy vessel Zr.Ms. Groningen intercepted a drug shipment on June 11 near Aruba. During the operation, the Navy ship was sailing on behalf of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.
The suspicious vessel was first detected by a Coast Guard aircraft, prompting Zr.Ms. Groningen to take immediate action. With the assistance of the NH90 onboard combat helicopter, two FRISC fast interception craft, and a Coast Guard Metal Shark, authorities pursued the suspect vessel at sea and successfully intercepted it.
The two suspects aboard the go-fast boat, along with the seized drug packages, were taken to the Coast Guard substation (Steunpunt) in Savaneta and handed over to the Aruba Police Force (KPA). The drugs have since been destroyed.
Since the beginning of June, Zr.Ms. Groningen has been deployed as the Royal Netherlands Navy’s patrol vessel in the Caribbean region. The ship monitors the security situation in the area of the ABC islands and supports the missions of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.