Venezuelan gold bars confiscated

AIRPORT — On Sunday, July 14th at approximately 04.45 p.m., a routine joint control was carried out at the Princess Juliana International Airport between the Customs Department and the Alpha Team on board of a private aircraft which originated from the country of Venezuela. During the control a large amount of gold bars were discovered on board of the aircraft. These gold bars of considerable value were all confiscated after it was discovered that the documentation regarding the gold was not in order. After consultation with the Public prosecutor the decision was taken to have the Alpha Team continue with the further investigation. As the investigation continued the decision was taken to also confiscate the aircraft in question. The pilot, co-pilot and several persons of interest were interrogated as suspects of money laundering. The investigation is ongoing.

In other police news, members of the Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM) have been busy locating and arresting numerous suspects in several criminal investigations.

* Two male suspects identified with initials M.J.H. (22) and C.V.R. (33) were arrested by police on Thursday July 25^th in connection with the stabbing of Venezuelan national which took place on Sunday July 7th in Sint Peters. Both suspects remain in custody for questioning and further investigation.

* One male suspect was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation regarding the stealing of a scooter on May 1^st 2019. The suspect remains in custody for further investigation.

* A female identified with initials G.L. (38) from the Dominican Republic was arrested by police on Saturday July 27^th for the severe ill-treatment of her 14 year old son identified with initials G.G.L. This ill-treatment took place over long period of time leaving the victim with many scars on his body. The suspect remains in custody for further investigation.

* On Thursday July 25^th police arrested three young men identified with initials A.M.S.P (18), S.E.B. (25) and R.J.J.P. (22) suspected of stealing a vehicle earlier that day between 02.00 a.m. and 07.30 a.m. The suspects were seen driving the vehicle which at the time was carrying a different license plate. The victim followed the vehicle to the Sint Maarten medical Center where the suspects stopped and then called the police. The suspects were arrested on the spot and then taken to the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg for further investigation.

* A female suspect identified with initials J.J.A.M. (40) was arrested on Thursday July 25^th on L.B. Scot Road for the destruction of three vehicles. The reason for the destruction is still unclear and the suspect remains in custody for further investigation.