The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard has foiled an attempt to smuggle 14 undocumented workers from Venezuela to Aruba. The men were trying to enter the island illegally by boat, avoiding immigration checks at the port. Thanks to the Coast Guard’s radar system, the plan was stopped and all those involved were detained.
The incident happened on Saturday night when the Coast Guard detected a suspicious vessel heading toward Aruba. A patrol aircraft was immediately dispatched to investigate.
At the same time, a Metal Shark patrol boat left the Coast Guard station in Savaneta and headed toward the same location. The aircraft confirmed that the contact was a small boat, likely carrying undocumented individuals.
The Metal Shark intercepted the boat at sea and escorted it, along with its passengers, back to the Coast Guard station in Savaneta.
In total, 16 men were on board. Two of them—the captain and his assistant—were arrested. The remaining 14 passengers were handed over to the Guarda Nos Costa and are now awaiting deportation to Venezuela.
The Coast Guard emphasized that these operations are essential to prevent illegal migration and maintain border security in the region.
