WILLEMSTAD - Four employees from Curaçao's Hato International Airport, aged between 26 and 32, have denied any involvement in the smuggling of cocaine using air freight containers. These containers, known as 'AKEs,' are typically utilized for transporting baggage and goods on board aircraft.
The case revolves around incidents that took place last summer. In August, the police received a tip-off regarding a TUI flight container that had flown from Hato Airport to Schiphol on July 13, 2023. Inside the container, authorities discovered boxes containing 84 kilograms of cocaine. Shortly after, another damaged container with a hidden compartment was found. A few days later, an additional 74 kilograms of cocaine were detected in a similar container that had departed from Hato Airport a day earlier.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM), surveillance footage shows the suspect employees behaving suspiciously around the containers. The OM has gathered evidence based on video recordings, witness statements from airport staff, work schedules, phone records, and print logs.
However, the defense attorneys for the accused argue that the investigation suffers from tunnel vision, suggesting alternative scenarios. They claim that the drugs could have been added at a different time or location, such as in Aruba or Bonaire.
During a search of one of the suspects' homes, a firearm was found. The court's ruling on the case is expected on December 4.