WILLEMSTAD – Prosecutors have demanded a six-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Gerson R., who appeared in court on charges of possessing counterfeit money, illegal firearms, and drugs. The arrest took place during a house search on November 27, 2024, when police discovered two firearms, nearly 900 grams of marijuana, a vacuum-sealing machine, and 138 counterfeit 100-guilder notes. A digital scale was also found in his car. 

In court, Gerson pleaded not guilty and claimed he was framed by a Venezuelan acquaintance, Juan Sanchez, whom he met in 2024 through his work in the tourism industry. According to Gerson, Sanchez had been temporarily staying at his house and was allegedly responsible for the illegal items. Sanchez has reportedly since been deported. 

Gerson said he did not initially share this version of events because he lacked trust in the police, whom he accused of corruption. He also claimed he was not informed of his right to legal counsel during interrogation. Nonetheless, he initially confessed to ownership of the seized items, a confession he later retracted in court, stating that he only admitted guilt to protect his parents from being arrested during the raid. 

The prosecutor cast doubt on Gerson's explanation, noting that he had never mentioned Sanchez in earlier statements. The Public Prosecution Service argued that the evidence presented clearly links Gerson to the charges, including drug possession, weapon violations, and counterfeiting. 

The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on May 14.