The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee found hard drugs while searching the HNLMS Johan de Witt in Den Helder on Saturday 26 October. The naval ship had returned from the Caribbean on Thursday.
A combined search team of the Marechaussee and customs found the drugs on board the navy ship hidden in packages. It concerns approximately eleven kilogrammes of hard drugs, presumably cocaine, reported the Marechaussee on Sunday.
The search began on Friday under the leadership of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the East Netherlands as part of an ongoing drugs investigation. After the arrest of a Dutch soldier on board the ship on 24 September in Curaçao, there were strong indications that drugs were on board. This soldier had hard drugs in his backpack. This also involved eleven kilogrammes, probably cocaine.
It was therefore decided to start a major search on the ship’s return from the Caribbean. This happened with dogs from customs and many people. On Thursday, all personnel were checked when they disembarked. Three helicopters that were on board were also searched. Nothing was found, but on Saturday another eleven kilos were found.
Soldier Remains in Custody
The previously arrested soldier, a 23-year old man from Haarlem, is still in custody. The investigation focuses mainly on his involvement. The Ministry of Defence has a zero tolerance policy with regard to hard drugs. Military personnel who carry it with them are dismissed immediately.
Johan de Witt
HNLMS Johan de Witt is the second Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious warfare ship of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It is an improved design of the Rotterdam, which was designed in conjunction between the Netherlands and Spain. The 176-metre ship, displacing 16,800 tons, was launched in February 2007.
Source: ANP
