Royal Netherlands Navy vessel HNLMS Holland has intercepted the transport of a drug for the third time in a short period. The patrol vessel was on patrol in the Caribbean Sea when it stopped a fishing boat with 18 people on board. During the action, a shipment of cocaine was seized.
A maritime patrol aircraft of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard had spotted the fishing boat with a fast drugs boat, known as a ‘go-fast, attached to it. HNLMS Holland was notified, which subsequently deployed its two fast interception crafts (FRISCs) with onboard a combined team from the US Coast Guard and the Netherlands Marine Corps. The NH90 maritime combat helicopter was also activated.
As the various units approached the fishing vessel, the individuals on board released the empty go-fast as an attempted diversion. The American boarding team boarded the fishing boat and apprehended the eighteen people on board. The boat was sailing under the Venezuelan flag and sixteen people on board have Venezuelan nationality and two the Dominican Republic.
The suspects and the contraband were later handed over to a US Coast Guard vessel. A total of 325 kilos of drugs was seized.
Third time
HNLMS Holland returned to its post as a station ship in the Caribbean in May 2021 and combines counter-drug operations with lending support to the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. Earlier this month the ship also intercepted two drugs means of transport.
