Royal Netherlands Navy’s offshore patrol vessel HNLMS Holland intercepted some 220 kilograms of cocaine near the Caribbean Windward Islands on January 21.
The smugglers were apprehended after being spotted by a Dash-8 patrol aircraft of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.
Two suspect boat’s whereabouts were reported to the HNLMS Holland which, according to a ministry of defense statement, started the chase immediately after notification.
Holland deployed a RHIB to effectively stop one drug smuggling vessel with three suspects aboard, the other vessel managed to escape. The suspects and the seized contraband were subsequently turned over to the the St. Maarten authorities.
HNLMS Holland is stationed in the Caribbean, where it conducts counterdrugs operations and coastguard duties in cooperation with the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.