PHILIPSBURG–Dutch Navy ship Zr. Ms. Friesland in a joint operation with the St. Maarten Coast Guard intercepted a go-fast during a patrol in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, August 15. Three sailors were arrested and later handed over to authorities in St. Maarten, according to the Coast Guard on Friday.
The go-fast was spotted suspiciously next to another vessel, which triggered the idea that a possible contraband exchange was taking place. As the go-fast began to sail off in another direction, the maritime NH90 helicopter on the Friesland began following it. The commander of the Friesland declared the go-fast stateless when no form of identification could be seen.
After the go-fast ignored warning signals, the commander gave instructions to fire warning shots from the NH90 helicopter. Subsequently the sharpshooter aboard the NH90 disabled the engine of the go-fast.
The Coast Guard vessel Poema towed the go-fast to the Coast Guard headquarters. A thorough search for contraband was carried out at sea, but nothing was found, resulting in the release of the three suspects.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79687-crew-arrested-on-suspicion-of-contraband-trafficking
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