PHILIPSBURG:--- For the fourth time in two months, the Dutch naval vessel Zr.Ms. Groningen intercepted a large drug transport. On the night of December 2, the patrol ship in the Caribbean managed to stop a so-called go-fast that transported 1421 kg of cocaine.
The maritime patrol aircraft Dash-8 of the Coastguard Caribbean discovered the fast drug boat.
Zr.Ms. Groningen activated. The ship launched its maritime NH90 combat helicopter and a FRISC, one of the two fast interception boats available to the ship. The go-fast was eventually forced to stop through the NH90 helicopter. The FRISC, with a combined team of the US Coast Guard and the Marine Corps on board, was quickly on-site to search the drug boat. 1421 kilograms of cocaine were found. The suspects and the drugs have been transferred to an American coastguard ship for prosecution in the United States.
Since April 2019, Zr.Ms. Groningen active as station ship in the Caribbean. The ship has been operating in the region for two years, the crew changes periodically. The ship carries out counter-drug operations and supports the Caribbean Coast Guard. In addition, the ship is available for emergency assistance during the hurricane season. The current crew has done a drug interception twice before since its rotation (September last), with a total of 2,900 kg.
