WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Police Force (KPC) has responded to a viral message claiming that the police were instructed by the government not to release official information about the judicial raids that took place last Friday. The message suggests that this is because Justice Minister Shalton Hato and Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas frequently visited one of the raided addresses.
The police have firmly denied these allegations, stating that they have never received such orders from any minister of the current government. The delay in reporting on the matter was due to the complexity of the investigation. Until last night, the investigation team was still collecting and analyzing information, which prevented the release of details to the police's Communication Department for inclusion in a press statement.
Judicial Operation
In the early hours of Friday, September 6, the police, along with RST (Dutch Caribbean Special Police Task Force), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, Customs, and Defense, conducted raids at various locations across Curaçao. These searches, part of an ongoing major criminal investigation, resulted in the arrest of nine people and the seizure of several items.
The raids yielded significant evidence, including six vehicles, three firearms, an ammunition storage with explosives, jewelry, cash, and drugs. All of this is considered crucial evidence in the investigation, which is related to an ongoing drug case currently before the criminal court. During this previous case, PGP phones were confiscated, leading to new information and further arrests.