WILLEMSTAD – Shurandy Adelson “Tyson” Quant, who prosecutors consider one of the alleged leaders of the No Limit Soldiers (NLS), is appearing before a judge Monday in the first pro forma hearing in the extensive Themis criminal investigation.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. Curaçao time in the high-security courtroom at the Penitentiary Institution in Vught, the Netherlands. The proceedings can be followed in Curaçao through a live video connection at Kas di Korte.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects Quant of leading a criminal organization, kidnapping, money laundering, drug trafficking and involvement in several contract killings. Prosecutors have identified Quant and Urvin “Nuto” Wawoe as alleged leaders of NLS.
Authorities are also examining Quant’s alleged connection to the assassination of Curaçao politician Helmin Wiels, who was shot and killed at Marie Pampoen on May 5, 2013. Individuals involved in carrying out the assassination have already been convicted, while questions surrounding who ultimately ordered the killing have remained part of subsequent investigations.
The allegations against Quant have not been proven in the current proceedings, and the substantive criminal case has yet to begin.
Years-Long Extradition Process
Quant was arrested in Dubai in November 2020 following an international investigation involving law enforcement authorities from Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Aruba and the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST). At the time, prosecutors said he was suspected of ordering several killings, kidnapping, leading a criminal organization and money laundering.
His arrest was followed by a lengthy extradition process in the United Arab Emirates. He was eventually transferred in June 2026 and subsequently placed in the Extra Secure Institution (EBI) in Vught, the Netherlands’ highest-security prison facility.
The Themis investigation focuses on suspected activities by NLS across several countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and internationally. Authorities have linked the organization to international drug trafficking, money laundering and serious violent crimes.
As part of the investigation, prosecutors seized five properties belonging to Quant in Curaçao in 2022. The Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects that the properties were acquired using proceeds from criminal activities.
Earlier Case Ended in Acquittal
Monday’s proceedings are not the first time Quant has faced serious criminal allegations in the Netherlands.
He was previously prosecuted in the Athena case, in which prosecutors accused him of involvement in cocaine trafficking, participation in a criminal organization and preparations connected to a killing. In 2016, he was acquitted on appeal of the alleged solicitation of murder.
That earlier case could become relevant to his current defense. Recent reporting indicates that one of the central questions is whether prosecutors can sufficiently establish that communications, instructions and aliases attributed to “Tyson” can actually be linked to Quant.
Quant is being represented by attorneys Peppie Sulvaran, Athena Sulvaran and Guy Weski.
No Substantive Trial Yet
Monday’s hearing is a pro forma session, meaning the court will not yet determine whether Quant is guilty or innocent of the allegations.
Instead, prosecutors and the defense are expected to discuss the status of the investigation, possible additional investigative requests, Quant’s detention and the next steps toward the eventual substantive trial.
The proceedings mark a significant new stage in the Themis investigation more than five years after Quant’s arrest in Dubai and years after Curaçao authorities began investigating his alleged role within NLS.