PHILIPSBURG:--- The Dutch naval vessel HNLMS Groningen intercepted a drug transport on 24 May. In the Caribbean Sea, the patrol ship managed to stop a go-fast and intercept a 300-kilogram load of cocaine.
During a patrol, a plane of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard detected a go-fast with four people northwest of Aruba. After HNLMS Groningen launched the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter of the US Coast Guard, which is currently embarked onboard. After the helicopter made contact by giving stop signals, the go-fast didn’t stop. After firing some warning shots the crew surrendered.
Two fast interceptor vessels (FRISCs) of HNLMS Groningen were launched to detain those on board. The boarding was performed by a combined Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team of the US Coast Guard and the Dutch Fleet Marine Squadron (FMS). After, the crewmembers and contraband were transferred to a US Coast Guard vessel for prosecution in the United States.
HNLMS Groningen is in the Caribbean region from April 2022 for counter drugs operations.
