First Hour First Hit: 3,000 Kilos of Drugs Intercepted by Mr.Ms. Friesland Aruba Bonaire Curacao
⚓ Lightning-Fast Action in the Caribbean
In just her first operational hour, Mr.Ms. Friesland made an immediate impact. South of the ABC islands, the Royal Netherlands Navy ship intercepted a fast-moving go-fast vessel and seized an enormous haul of illegal drugs—3,000 kilos in total.
🔥 High-Speed Chase at Sea
The operation began when a Dash-8 patrol aircraft from @kustwachtcaribischgebied spotted a suspicious boat racing across the Caribbean Sea. Responding instantly, Mr.Ms. Friesland changed course and deployed two high-speed FRISCs to engage.
🚤 Smugglers Dump Cargo, But It’s Too Late
As the chase intensified, the smugglers began tossing their illicit cargo overboard in a desperate attempt to escape. The effort failed. More than 100 drug packages were retrieved from the water.
💊 Final Tally: Cocaine and Marijuana
https://stmaartennews.ai/st-maarten-new-years-address-2025-prime-minister-dr-luc-mercelina/
The seized narcotics included 1,837 kilos of cocaine and 1,173 kilos of marijuana. All recovered drugs have now been handed over to @uscgsoutheast for further processing.
🛡️ Joint Maritime Power
This success highlights the power of cooperation and rapid response. Within 60 minutes, an international team disrupted a major trafficking route.
🔗 #Defensie #Navy #Koninklijkemarine #Militair
https://sxmnews.ai/from-bid-rigging-to-land-stealing-story-of-christopher-emmanuels-crash-out/
Spectacular Entrance: Zr.Ms. Friesland Seizes 3,000 Kilos of Drugs in the Caribbean
06-06-2025 | 13:00
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First Mission, First Hit
Zr.Ms. Friesland made an unforgettable debut in the Caribbean by intercepting a smuggling vessel on 29 May. Although authorities revealed the incident only now, the operation yielded a major drug bust: over 3,000 kilos of narcotics.
Coordinated Response Leads to Capture
A Dash-8 patrol aircraft from the Caribbean Coast Guard first spotted the suspicious vessel south of the ABC Islands. Acting quickly, Zr.Ms. Friesland closed in on the target and launched two fast-response Frisc motorboats.
Smugglers Attempt to Evade
During the high-speed chase, the smugglers desperately threw more than 100 packages overboard. However, the naval team retrieved every parcel. The final count:
• 1,837 kilos of cocaine
• 1,173 kilos of marijuana
They handed the seized drugs over to the United States Coast Guard for processing.
Strong Start to Deployment
Zr.Ms. Friesland had only just arrived in the region on 23 May, officially taking over from Zr.Ms. Groningen as the station ship. Within six days, the crew already executed a major interception—an impressive start to its deployment.
Dual Role in the Caribbean
Zr.Ms. Friesland operates in collaboration with both the American and Caribbean Coast Guards. While counter-drug operations form a core responsibility, the vessel also stands ready to deliver humanitarian assistance during natural disasters, including hurricanes.
A Powerful Message
With this early success, Zr.Ms. Friesland sends a clear signal: its presence in the Caribbean means business.