During the first hour of her operational deployment, it was a direct hit for HNLMS Friesland. South of the ABC-islands, the Navy ship intercepted a go-fast and with that confiscated 3.000 kilograms drugs.
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 into the sea. More than packages containing drugs were removed from the sea; a total of 1.837 kilos of cocaine and 1.173 kilos of 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 can accomplish. We are ready for what is coming.”
HLNMS Friesland, weeks ago, on May 23, arrived in the Caribbean Region and has since been the station ship for Defence in the Caribbean Region. The execution of counter-drugs operations is one of her tasks. Hereby, the ship works in cooperation with the US Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Caribbean Region. Additionally, the ship is equipped to render humanitarian aid, for example, in the event of natural disasters such as hurricanes.