WILLEMSTAD – The court in Willemstad has handed down sentences this week in multiple drug trafficking cases involving the smuggling of narcotics through Hato International Airport. In a noteworthy development, the judges consistently followed the relatively lenient sentencing recommendations made by the Public Prosecution Service, with most cases resulting in suspended prison terms. 

One of the cases involved a 22-year-old woman who attempted to travel to the Netherlands with nearly one kilogram of cocaine in her suitcase. She claimed to have packed her luggage herself and denied any knowledge of the drugs. However, customs officers discovered the cocaine during a check-in inspection, and the court found her statement implausible. She was sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison term and 240 hours of community service. 

Another case concerned a 26-year-old man caught with nearly 200 grams of marijuana in his carry-on luggage. He stated that he had purchased the cannabis at a Dutch coffeeshop and brought it back to Curaçao, where he lives, for personal use. The prosecutor argued that it was highly unlikely he was unaware of the import ban. The court sentenced him to a six-month suspended prison term. 

A 43-year-old man admitted to transporting 481 grams of cocaine in a backpack at the request of an acquaintance, though he claimed he did not know the exact contents. The drugs were hidden in the front compartment of the bag. In line with the prosecution’s request, the court sentenced him to nine months in prison, with three months suspended. 

A 21-year-old woman was also convicted after she was caught smuggling over 230 grams of cocaine strapped to her feet in plastic bags. She told authorities that she received the drugs from someone she had met through Instagram and had agreed to the smuggling in hopes of paying off her debts. The judge took her age and clean criminal record into account, resulting in a six-month suspended prison sentence. 

The cases highlight ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking through Curaçao’s main airport, while also showing the court's willingness to consider personal circumstances and follow relatively mild prosecution demands.