WILLEMSTAD - In the early morning of last Saturday the Rescue and Coordination Center of the Coast Guard detected a suspicious vessel southwest of Curaçao. The vessel had sailed from the south towards the coast. The RCC immediately ordered the helicopter and the land patrol of the Coast Guard to explore the area. The police and customs were also informed by the RCC. Once there, the units held a total of 12 undocumented persons of Venezuelan origin, 11 of whom were men and one lady. A firearm has been found that may belong to one of the persons.

During the intensive search, officers came across an area with many cannabis plants. The plants were each in a pot on the site. A person has been arrested in connection with the cannabis plantation but has since been released. Both cases are being investigated by the KPC.