WILLEMSTAD – On Tuesday morning, the National Criminal Investigation Department (Landsrecherche) of Curaçao arrested four individuals in connection with a corruption investigation involving the UOOW division of the Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP), formerly known as the Department of Public Works (DOW). 

Among those arrested is a well-known local musician who is reportedly the owner of a construction company that performs asphalt work in the Banda Bou region. The other three suspects are government employees. 

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has confirmed the arrests but declined to provide further details at this stage, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. 

In its official statement, the OM noted that the arrests were carried out as part of a long-running investigation into possible corruption within the UOOW division of the VVRP ministry. Authorities have not ruled out additional arrests or legal proceedings. 

This case marks the latest in a series of efforts by Curaçao’s judicial authorities to tackle corruption within public institutions, as concerns about integrity and misuse of public funds remain high on the national agenda. The investigation is being conducted under the leadership of the OM, with support from the Landsrecherche, an independent body tasked with probing criminal behavior among public officials.