Customs supervision in the Caribbean Netherlands makes a significant contribution towards the prevention of undermining criminality, security, and the protection of public health and nature. This is what the supervision results 2025 of Customs Caribbean Netherlands show, with no less than 35 specific findings.
Tackling of illegal money flows
In 2025 14 findings were registered on the basis of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act BES (WWFT BES). All WWFT findings took place on Bonaire. In total, USD 209,545 of undeclared cash amounts were detected with travellers. In most instances, an administrative fine was imposed due to non-compliance with the declaration requirement.
Interception of narcotics
In 2025 11 findings were established on the basis of the Opium Act BES 1960, in the course of which cannabis, hashish, and XTC were intercepted, among other things. The findings were spread over Bonaire (9 findings, in total: 2,770 grams of cannabis, 59 grams of hashish, 7.44 grams of XTC), St. Eustatius (1 finding: 96 grams of cannabis) and Saba (1 finding: 0.25 grams of cannabis).
Interception of weapons and ammunition
In 2025 7 findings were also registered on the basis of the (Fire) Arms and Ammunition Act BES, spread over Bonaire (1 finding: 1 stun gun and 1 box of ammunition of 20 pieces), St. Eustatius (5 findings, in total: 3 pepper sprays, 4 lipstick guns, 1 knuckle duster and 1 stun gun) and Saba (1 finding: 1 box of ammunition of 500 pieces).
Protection of public health and nature
On the basis of the Pharmaceutical Provision Act BES, in which it is established for the import of which products authorisation is required, 4 findings were registered. The findings were spread over Bonaire (3 findings: GafPlus and VitaFer detected, products that contain diclofenac) and Saba (1 finding: 192 pills of sildenafil citrato detected).
In the context of supervision on the import of prohibited animal products, a total of 186.4 kilos of pork were intercepted on Bonaire and St. Eustatius. In addition, on the basis of the flora and fauna legislation, 440 kilos of queen conches (also known as ‘karko’, a protected animal species) were also intercepted on Bonaire.
Customs supervision
Through a combination of targeted inspections with various inspection tools and close cooperation with chain partners, Customs Caribbean Netherlands were able to anticipate risks at the border effectively in 2025.
This approach is continued by Customs Caribbean Netherlands in 2026 in order to also act against violations of legislation and regulations effectively again this year.