WILLEMSTAD – A 31-year-old man from Curaçao was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in prison, with half of the sentence suspended, after being found guilty of smuggling over two kilograms of cocaine. The verdict was handed down during a drug trafficking trial in which the defendant admitted to attempting to smuggle the drugs to the Netherlands. 

The man was arrested at the airport after exhibiting nervous behavior. Upon inspection, customs officials discovered packages of cocaine hidden in his underwear. He claimed he had been recruited by an individual known only as “Chal,” who had affixed the drug packages to his body and also paid for his airline ticket. 

The defendant explained that he can no longer work in construction due to chronic back problems and said he accepted the job because he needed money to support his five children. He told the court that he was promised 20,000 guilders upon arrival in the Netherlands. 

The man also stated that he had shared full details about Chal with authorities but claimed no action was taken based on the information. During the trial, he expressed deep remorse, saying he now realizes the impact of his actions, especially the possibility of leaving his children without a father if imprisoned. 

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge imposed a three-year probation period. The court acknowledged his difficult personal circumstances but emphasized the seriousness of drug smuggling and the broader risks it poses to society.