WILLEMSTAD - Michelangelo "Lo" Martines, a current member of parliament and leader of the political party KEM (Kòrsou Esun Mihó), will remain in custody following a recent court decision. The examining judge extended Martines' pretrial detention by an additional sixteen days. Martines is suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, organizing drug shipments, and money laundering, with alleged criminal activities taking place in 2019, 2020, and 2023.
The Public Prosecution Service formally requested the extension of Martines' detention, which was granted by the examining judge during a hearing. The judge cited the seriousness of the charges and the risks associated with releasing Martines as reasons for prolonging the detention. A request from the defense to suspend or terminate the detention was denied.
Part of the Ongoing 'BLEDA' Investigation
Martines was arrested on November 5 as part of the criminal investigation known as 'BLEDA,' which has been underway for over a year. The Public Prosecution Service stated that his arrest is a significant development in a long-running investigation into serious criminal offenses that pose a major threat to public safety.
The allegations against Martines include incidents that reportedly occurred while he was serving as a member of parliament, raising concerns about the potential abuse of his political position. The investigation continues as authorities seek to gather more evidence related to the charges.