Netherlands and France team up to fight drug trafficking in the Caribbean

Officials announced Thursday that the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard and the French Coast Guard on Saint Martin, the French side of Sint Maarten, are now authorized to pursue vessels suspected of drug smuggling in each other’s territorial waters.

The agreement, signed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France, implements the San José Treaty, which aims to strengthen cooperation in the Caribbean against illegal drug trafficking.

The Caribbean Coast Guard said the island serves as a key transit point for drugs moving from South America to North America and Europe.

The treaty clarifies conditions for maritime pursuit. Coast guard authorities are permitted to chase suspected drug vessels but are prohibited from using force.

The pact was signed by Prime Minister Luc Mercelina of Sint Maarten on behalf of the Netherlands and by Naïma Moutchou, Minister of Overseas Territories, for France.