WILLEMSTAD - The port of Curaçao is increasingly being chosen by international drug cartels as a starting point for shipping large quantities of cocaine to the Netherlands and other European destinations. This is concluded by the Dutch maritime magazine, De Schuttevaer, based on recent court cases in Willemstad. Recently, nine suspects of large-scale drug trafficking were tried there. 

According to the Joint Investigation Team (RST), the authorities have unraveled a well-organized network of criminal activities, with significant implications for the safety and integrity of the port facilities on the island. 

The suspects are alleged to have used corrupt port personnel to place cocaine in containers destined for Europe. The street value of the intercepted drugs is estimated at a minimum of 200 million guilders. The Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) has demanded prison sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years against the individuals involved, depending on their role in the operation. 

Factor 

An important factor that makes Curaçao attractive for such criminal activities is the lack of maritime surveillance. For almost a year now, the coast guard has not stationed a patrol vessel on the island, allowing drug cartels with fast 'go-fast' boats to operate almost unhindered. 

The Dutch political authorities in The Hague have indicated that this situation needs to change soon. It is expected that a patrol vessel will be sent back to the region to patrol the Caribbean Sea in April or May, to put a stop to the drug trafficking.