WILLEMSTAD - On October 1, the Dutch naval vessel Zr.Ms. Groningen coordinated a large drug catch in the Caribbean Sea. With the support of the NH90 on-board helicopter of the station ship, a go-fast with 857 kilograms on board was intercepted.

Zr.Ms. Groningen was on coast guard patrol in the Caribbean, when it was contacted by the Dash 8 patrol aircraft of the Coast Guard Caribbean Sea about a suspicious boat in the Caribbean Sea. The Zr.Ms. Groningen dispatched its helicopter to the boat to collect more information. Eventually the go-fast was stopped. The American coast guard cutter USCGC Mohawk was then quickly on site to take seize contraband and arrest the smugglers on board. A total of 857 kilograms of drugs were seized.

This coordinated action is an example of good cooperation in the fight against drug crime between the navy, Coast Guard Caribbean and the American partners.

Zr.Ms. Groningen has been active in the region since April 20 as a station ship Caribbean. The ship is deployed to act in counter-drug operations and in humanitarian assistance. In addition, it is also used for various coastguard tasks in the Caribbean such as the detection of illegal fishing, environmental crimes and for carrying out rescue operations.