In a major ongoing international drugs investigation conducted by the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST) in close cooperation with Korps Politie Sint Maarten Saba en Sint Eustatius (KPSSS), Korps Politie Curaçao (KPC), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Coastguard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Royal Marechaussee (KMAR) and the authorities of Colombia, Venezuela, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, five people were arrested on Wednesday May 5 2010. Four of these arrests took place in Sint Maarten and one in Curaçao.
A sixth suspect was arrested in Sint Maarten on Thursday May 6 2010.
Some of the arrests were made by the "Arrestatie Team" (SWAT) of KPSSS. On one occasion the suspect was caught red handed with a loaded firearm.
In a house in Simpson Bay approximately 170 kg. of cocaine was found and seized.
During several house searches conducted by the investigating judge (rechter-commissaris) cell phones and documents were confiscated.
The five suspects arrested in Sint Maarten are H.M.A., R.A., D.P.L., F.D.B. and M.E.
E.M. was arrested in Curaçao. All suspects will be led before the investigating judge on Friday May 7 2010.
Both the prosecutor’s offices in Sint Maarten and in Curaçao are very satisfied with the way the operations have taken place and the results they have yielded so far.
Sint Maarten, May 6 2010