Video: Huge batches of suspicious packages, likely drugs, wash up on Dutch island
Large suspicious packages, possibly containing illegal drugs, washed ashore on the north coast of Terschelling on Saturday morning, police reported. Beachgoers discovered the packages at West aan Zee, prompting a temporary closure of part of the beach.
The packages, wrapped in plastic and bundled into two large nets, were estimated to weigh several hundred kilograms. Witnesses reported the discovery to police, who quickly secured the area. "It concerns a significant amount of material, possibly several hundred kilos," a spokesperson for the Fiscal Investigation and Enforcement Service (FIOD) said.
Specialists from FIOD and the Dutch Customs authorities traveled to Terschelling to examine the packages. Law enforcement confirmed the items have been removed from the island and will be destroyed after the investigation.
A police helicopter and a coastal patrol plane assisted in searching the surrounding waters to ensure no additional packages remained at sea. Authorities reported that no further items were found.
A police spokesperson added, "It is not yet clear whether the packages contain drugs or other illegal goods. We expect more information after the weekend."
The discovery echoes similar incidents in late 2024, when hundreds of packages washed up along the North and South Holland coasts, as well as on the Wadden Islands. German authorities at the time reported that one shipment contained 150 kilograms of cocaine. The origin of those packages was never determined.
