In an ambitious effort led by the Dutch Navy ship HNLMS Tromp, Dutch navy and coast guard units successfully prevented drug runners from transporting 2,000 kilograms of narcotics on the open sea. The Tromp's actions took place near the end of June and were in concert with the international operation Martillo aimed against the illicit drug trade. An ongoing investigation into this recent action prevented this information from being released earlier.
A 'Go Fast' speed boat sailing at high speed was detected near Colombia. The operation centre at Parera Naval Base in Curaçao subsequently launched an immediate and extensive search. HNLMS Tromp with its Belgian Alouette helicopter embarked was directed towards the scene, as was the Dash-8 maritime patrol aircraft of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. After an intensive search and while in direct pursuit of the 'Go Fast', the drug runners ditched the contraband. The American Law Enforcement team, that during this operation is embarked on board of the Tromp, can confirm the amount of drugs.
Brigadier General Swijgman, Commander Netherlands Forces and Director Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard expressed his satisfaction with the result. "International effort made this possible. The Dutch Navy and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard together with our international partners have shown to be one team with a shared intent to stop organized crime in the Caribbean area. That is the key to success."
The Dutch Navy and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are an integral part of the international struggle against the illicit drug trade. Operation Martillo is a multi-national collaborative effort to counter the spread of transnational organized crime in Central America. The operation is lead by the Joint Inter-agency Task Force South in Key West, Florida and denies organized crime networks the ability to conduct illicit trafficking via air and at sea. The Commander Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean is part of the Joint Inter-agency Task Force South, as the subordinate commander of Task Group 4.4.
