WILLEMSTAD – The Court of First Instance in Curaçao has sentenced a man to 24 months in prison for his role in the export of cocaine and possession of drugs, following a criminal investigation involving encrypted communications.
According to the ruling, the suspect was found guilty of involvement in the export of cocaine and the possession of a quantity of marijuana. The court determined that the evidence, including digital data and communication records, was sufficient to establish his role in the drug-related activities.
The case was heard over several sessions in November 2025, during which the prosecution argued that the suspect played an active role in drug trafficking operations. The court agreed, concluding that the evidence met the legal threshold for conviction on both counts.
A key element in the case involved the use of encrypted messaging data, which the court accepted as supporting evidence when combined with other findings. The judges emphasized that such digital material must be used with caution, but ruled that in this case it was sufficiently corroborated by additional evidence.
The court also noted that the suspect had a prior conviction for a similar offense, which became final in March 2022. The new offenses were committed within the probation period of that earlier conviction, a factor that weighed heavily in determining the sentence.
In its judgment, the court stressed the seriousness of drug trafficking and the role Curaçao plays as a transit point in international narcotics routes. It found that the nature and scale of the offenses justified a custodial sentence.
The prosecution had requested a prison sentence of 24 months, which the court ultimately imposed in full. Time already spent in pre-trial detention will be deducted from the sentence.