SEABASS investigation

PHILIPSBURG — As a result of an extensive investigation by the National Detectives, searches were carried out at 5 addresses today, November 19th, 2019.

Two office buildings in Philipsburg and three houses were searched. The charges in this investigation are focused at, among others, the Head of ICT for Country Sint Maarten, M.D. M.D. is suspected of abuse of his position when awarding public ICT tenders.

Various projects were awarded to the suspect and/or companies owned by the suspect’s relatives. M.D. is also suspected of having laundered the unlawful proceeds. In the investigation, several persons and legal entities were identified as suspects. A precautionary seizure was also made of, among other things, sums of money and a plot of land. The National Detectives will proceed with this investigation over the coming months.

The National Detectives have pursued this investigation because the actions of the accused undermine the integrity of the public administration and the civil service. Administrative responsibilities and business interests are intertwined. This can be at the expense of the quantity, quality, and price of products supplied to the government. Furthermore, this has not benefited the citizens of Sint Maarten and disturbs the level playing field for the business community.