WILLEMSTAD - The Caribbean Coast Guard intercepted fewer drugs in 2021 than the year before. This is apparent from the 2021 Annual Report that Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren sent to the Dutch House of Representatives on Wednesday.

In total, almost 3,300 kilos of drugs were intercepted in the Caribbean last year, the year before this was about 5,850 kilos. Last year, nearly 2,700 kilograms of cocaine and 557 kilograms of marijuana were seized.

Fewer undocumented migrants were also arrested in 2021 and the number of firearms seized has decreased. According to the Coast Guard, the corona pandemic played a major role in the declining numbers. The crisis reduced sea traffic, including to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

The Coast Guard also had a lower deployability last year and there was no station ship in the Caribbean in the first four months. The Zr.Ms. Groningen had to return to the Netherlands due to a damaged propeller shaft.