In conjunction with a motor vessel that was carrying over thirty people and that got shipwrecked near the island of Tortola yesterday, three men were arrested on Sint Maarten later the same day. Consecutively three house searches were conducted followed by two searches in offices. Computers, documents and money (several thousands of dollars) were confiscated.
The three men are J.J.C., 50 years old, L.B., 43 years old and L. S.-M., 62 years old, all born in Haiti and currently legally residing in Sint Maarten.
The investigation is being conducted by a joined team of RST, Royal Marechaussee and KPS in cooperation with the Coastguard and French authorities. Currently detectives from Sint Maarten are on the island of Tortola to further investigate this case together with local authorities.
The three suspects will be charged with human smuggling. They will be led before the judge of instruction within 48 hours.