WILLEMSTAD - Three employees of Curaçao International Airport have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in smuggling dozens of kilograms of cocaine on TUI flights to the Netherlands. A 28-year-old man received a six-year sentence, while two colleagues, aged 26 and 28, were each sentenced to four years. A fourth suspect, a 32-year-old Dominican national, was acquitted.
The 28-year-old main suspect transported the drugs in AKE air cargo containers and was also found in possession of a loaded firearm, which contributed to his harsher sentence. The court emphasized that the men had abused their positions and severely betrayed the trust placed in them. For the other two convicted individuals, the court considered their limited involvement and personal circumstances, including the reduced culpability of the 26-year-old due to his low intellectual capacity.
The smuggling operation involved two shipments of cocaine, totaling 84 and 86 kilograms, carried out on July 13 and August 17, 2023. The evidence included surveillance footage and witness testimonies. The acquitted Dominican suspect provided a credible explanation for his actions, though the court noted some inconsistencies in his account.
The court underscored the gravity of drug trafficking from key positions. "The quantities involved were clearly intended for commercial purposes," the judge stated, describing the actions of the convicted individuals as aggravating factors in the sentencing.