WILLEMSTAD – The Coast Guard detected a suspicious vessel near Curaçao in the morning of Saturday. The Coast Guard’s Maritime Operations Center immediately directed a Metal Shark patrol boat towards the suspected vessel.
Once on site, the Coast Guard patrol boat crew spotted a vessel with four people on board. Further investigation by the coast guards revealed that the four men were carrying drug packages. The vessel and the Venezuelan men were taken to the coastguard jetty where they were handed over to the Curaçao Police Force. The suspected boat’s cargo of a total of 440 kilograms of drugs, including approximately 192 kilograms of cocaine and 248 kilograms of marijuana, has since been destroyed. The Curaçao Police Force will investigate the matter further.
The Coast Guard will continue to intensify its checks at sea in the coming period. These controls are aimed at guarding the borders against illegal drug transport, illegal migration, human trafficking and firearms smuggling. In order to optimally monitor the territorial waters and coastline, the Coast Guard also requests the help of the citizens.
“As an alert citizen, you can inform the Coast Guard if you observe suspicious or dangerous situations at sea. The Coast Guard can be reached day and night via the number 913 or via whatsapp 510 0913.”
