WILLEMSTAD - In the Caribbean, fewer drug seizures were made in the past year compared to 2022. This is according to a parliamentary letter from the acting Minister of Defense, Kajsa Ollongren.
Ollongren writes that the reduced drug interceptions are likely due to the variable availability of station ships in the Caribbean. Station ships are equipped with helicopters and modern techniques to detect drug transports. When there is no ship present, fewer drugs are intercepted.
Additionally, new 'shore radar stations' were put into operation in 2022, allowing the Coast Guard to account for possible changes in how drug transports are organized.
Currently, the Zr.Ms. Groningen is the station ship present in the Caribbean.