The Colombian Navy and the Royal Navy of the Netherlands, within the framework of Operation Anvil, have seized about four tons of illicit substances.
Both countries used their resources and exchange of intelligence information in real time to prevent transnational crime organizations from using maritime communication lines for drug trafficking.
Last week a multinational operation is being carried out with the Royal Netherlands Navy, mainly in the Caribbean Sea, for the seizure of about four tons of Cocaine Hydrochloride and Marijuana.
After several months of work and close coordination of intelligence information, the two naval institutions are focusing their efforts to combat transnational organized crime, especially drug trafficking, through maritime interception operations on strategic routes in the Caribbean, which are being used by these organizations for the trafficking of illicit substances.
In this way, naval and technological resources of both nations are being integrated to strengthen interoperability and tactical coordination. Thus, the Missile Frigate ARC Caldas and the Ocean Patrol Ship ARC 24 de Julio and the Ocean Patrol Ship Friesland of the Royal Netherlands Navy, deployed to the high seas where at the moment they continue to carry out maritime interception operations.
So far, within the framework of this operation, more than three tons of Cocaine Hydrochloride, 800 kilograms of Marijuana have been seized and 12 people of different nationalities who were transporting the illicit substances in four “Go Fast” type boats, had been arrested.
Among those arrested are Colombians, Dominicans and Venezuelans, who along with the seized items were put into custody of the judicial authorities in Colombia and Aruba.
It is estimated that through these seizures, the finances of transnational crime and terrorist organizations have been affected by about COP $150 million, preventing the purchase of weapons, explosives and drones that affect the inhabitants and the Military Forces.
Anvil highlights the capacity of the Colombian Navy to participate in high-level multinational operations against transnational crime, integrating resources with strategic allies such as the Netherlands, where powerful results in maritime interception and intelligence information are being consolidated, reaffirming the commitment of the Naval Institution to regional and hemispheric security, as well as the protection of maritime communication lines in the Caribbean region.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
