HNLMS Groningen has intercepted a shipment of over 500 kilos of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea. The proceeds came from 2 drug shipments. They were already stopped on 13 and 25 February, but this was only announced on March 10th.
Groningen received a signal from an American patrol plane during a patrol on the 13th. It had spotted a suspect go-fast. The navy ship then launched the fast FRISC Interceptor and started the chase. On board was a combined team of crew and Americans from the US Coast Guard.
The smuggling boat managed to escape. The passengers did throw their goods overboard. The 280 kilos of cocaine were fished out of the water.
Another 247 kilos of coke
The 2 suspects were caught with their boat on 25 February did not make it easy for the FRISC crew either. They only surrendered after the NH90 maritime combat helicopter fired warning shots. Here too, it turned out that drug smuggling was indeed involved. It involved 247 kilos of coke.
The go-fast crew was handed over to the US Coast Guard for prosecution, which also seized a total of over 500 kilos of cocaine.
Groningen has been operating as a station ship in the Caribbean since the end of January 2025. Shortly after arrival, the naval vessel was able to claim its first interception on 2 February. It consisted of 2,820 kilos of cocaine.
The naval vessel works alternately with the Caribbean Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard during counter-drug operations.