HNLMS GRONINGEN

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1653 kilos of narcotics were seized in Caribbean

The Zr.Ms. 'Groningen' has intercepted three drug shipments in the Caribbean in one week. According to a report from Defense on April 23, 2025, hundreds of kilos of cocaine and marijuana were seized. The interceptions took place in the first week of April, but have only now been made public. A total of 1653 kilos of narcotics were seized, of which almost 600 kilos were hard drugs. Last week, the 'Groningen' left her temporary base in Curaçao. Although the Ministry of Defence no longer makes any statements about this ‘for security reasons’, the naval vessel has reportedly set course for its home port of Den Helder. It had served as a station ship in the Caribbean since Jan 23, 2025. Since then, it has intercepted almost 3,500 kilos of cocaine. The largest catch was made on Feb 2, when almost 2,820 kilos of cocaine were intercepted. The smugglers were forced to stop by targeted shots from an on-board helicopter that disabled the engine of their vessel. Five suspects were arrested and handed over to the American Coast Guard with the drugs. The Zr.Ms.' Friesland' will take the place of the Zr.Ms. 'Groningen'. Due to the same 'security considerations' it has not been announced when this sister ship will dock at the Parera naval base in the capital Willemstad.

Search for missing persons following counter drug mission suspended

The U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Netherlands Navy and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard suspended a search for three suspected smugglers who went overboard during the pursuit of a non-compliant vessel suspected of smuggling illicit narcotics in the Caribbean Sea, June 4, 2024. In the early morning hours, a Royal Netherlands Navy ship with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment deployed for a counter drug patrol identified a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics in international waters. The vessel failed to stop when signaled and the smuggling vessel operator instead increased speed and changed direction toward the Dutch pursuit boat, called a fast-raiding interception and special forces craft (FRISC). The FRISC boat crew, consisting of Dutch and U.S. Coast Guard boarding team members, discharged their weapons at the go-fast vessel in self-defense and defense of others in response to the life-threatening situation. The go-fast vessel caught fire and sank, and three suspected smugglers went overboard into the water and were not recovered. There were no reported injuries to the combined law enforcement team members. Assets and crews involved in the search efforts included: - Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS 'Groningen'; - Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS 'Pelikaan'; - U.S. Coast Guard helicopter; - Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied helicopter; - Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied cutter 'Jaguar'.

15 tons of drugs intercepted

The Zr.Ms. 'Groningen' has intercepted four drug smuggling boats in the period from Aug 19 to Sep 3 in the Caribbean. This means that the ship had already seized 15,000 kilos of prohibited substances. Never before have so many drugs been intercepted in the Caribbean by the Royal Navy in one year.