“A milestone”. This is how Brigadier General Dick Swijgman, Flag Officer Caribbean, described the seizure of 1,450 kilogrammes of cocaine by the CARIB guard ship HNLMS Amsterdam, earlier this week. The drugs represent a market value of over € 40 million.
“This last drug haul brings the total of drugs that we have managed, in close cooperation with our international partners and the Caribbean coastguard, to take out of circulation to over 10,000 kilos, says Swijgman. “It is a formidable result, and one that we can be justly proud of, as navy and as coastguard.”
NH90
One of the key factors in enabling the interception and the arresting of the crew were the coastguard’s DASH 8 patrol aircraft and the navy’s NH-90 helicopter. This was the NH90’s first deployment in the Caribbean since its entry into service.
Press Release, October 31, 2013; Image: Defensie
