The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday that a major interdiction operation took place early Friday morning, November 28, after the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) detected a suspicious vessel on marine radar heading toward Aruba.
The Coast Guard immediately contacted personnel at Steunpunt Aruba, who deployed rapidly on a Metal Shark fast-response boat to assess the situation. At the same time, a Dash-8 patrol aircraft was dispatched to provide aerial support, working together with land-based Coast Guard patrol units. The Aruba Police Force (CPA) was also notified and mobilized toward the northeast side of the island.
Using advanced onboard equipment, the Coast Guard’s Dash-8 aircraft successfully located the vessel near Playa Tortuga, alerting both sea and land units. Working jointly with the Aruba Police, authorities intercepted a blue peñero-type boat equipped with two outboard engines. Onboard, officers found several plastic fuel containers and multiple packages of illegal drugs.
A total of five men were arrested: one Colombian and four Venezuelans.
Authorities also confiscated a large quantity of narcotics, which has since been destroyed. The exact weight and drug type—whether cocaine, marijuana, or a combination—has not yet been disclosed.
(Photos courtesy of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.)
Photo Credits : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/policial/cantidad-grandi-di-droga-di-dropping-na-costa-a-wordo-confisca
