WILLEMSTAD – A man convicted in a drug smuggling case linked to Curaçao International Airport will not be sent back to prison because of his serious medical condition, despite being found guilty by the court.
The case involves the attempted transport of five kilos of cocaine to Brussels in September 2025, according to local reports. Prosecutors said the suspect was tasked with delivering the drugs in exchange for €11,000 before continuing his journey to the Netherlands.
During a security check at the airport, the man reportedly admitted to authorities that he was carrying drugs on his body.
Customs officers later discovered multiple packages concealed under his clothing.
In court, the suspect said he became involved in the smuggling operation because of his health situation.
He has been undergoing dialysis for years and is currently on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
According to his statement, his motivation was tied to trying to improve his medical circumstances.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of the offense but ruled that detention was not feasible under the current circumstances because adequate medical care for his condition could not be guaranteed in prison.
As a result, the suspect will not be re-detained.
He was nevertheless sentenced to 200 days in prison, part of which was suspended, with a probation period of three years.
Drug smuggling through Curaçao’s airport remains a recurring issue, with authorities regularly intercepting couriers attempting to transport narcotics to Europe.
The case highlights the legal balance courts sometimes face between criminal punishment and humanitarian medical considerations.